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Our take
The quiet vigilante is back, helping people before hunting those responsible for a friend's murder. The Equalizer 2 makes his fighting look precise and effective, but the shootings and injuries are brutal, and strong swearing comes often. A teen is also drawn toward gang life. We would watch from 16.
Uplifting themes
Helping vulnerable people, mentoring a young neighbour, and trying to steer him away from violence are real strengths here. The hero's answer to wrongdoing is still revenge The lead is kind to neighbours and a mentor to a young artist, but he is also a killer. Younger viewers may admire his calm more than question his methods
Story (may spoil tone)
Robert McCall, who serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed, embarks on a relentless, globe-trotting quest for vengeance when his former partner is murdered.
Details
Violence Fights, shootings, and revenge killings happen throughout, many with ev…
Fights, shootings, and revenge killings happen throughout, many with everyday objects as weapons and quick, cold results. The hero is calm, skilled, and rarely pays a price, which makes the violence feel cool
Language Strong swearing is frequent, with the f-word and s-word in many tense e…
Strong swearing is frequent, with the f-word and s-word in many tense exchanges, plus crude insults and put-downs. Some of the dialogue is in French with subtitles
Frightening Armed attackers, a child taken by a parent, and a stormy final fight ke…
Armed attackers, a child taken by a parent, and a stormy final fight keep the mood tense. Several scenes build quiet menace before the violence starts
Child peril / abuse A girl is taken by her father in the opening, a teen is pushed toward g…
A girl is taken by her father in the opening, a teen is pushed toward gang violence, and later he is held hostage in the finale. Both young people survive, but the danger is real
Bullying / discrimination A racial slur is used in a scene where an older man pushes a teen towar…
A racial slur is used in a scene where an older man pushes a teen toward violence. Beyond that, contempt for the weak comes mostly from the villains, and it is meant to make us dislike them
Gore / death / weapons Stab wounds, gunshots, and bodies are shown, and several deaths include…
Stab wounds, gunshots, and bodies are shown, and several deaths include blood. Guns and knives are close by in most action scenes, and a bomb blast adds to the damage
Grief / bereavement A friend's death and a past loss weigh on the lead, with a funeral and…
A friend's death and a past loss weigh on the lead, with a funeral and a quiet sense of grief. It drives his anger without taking over the film
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
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Talk after watching
- The lead character helps people who are being treated unfairly, but he does it with violence. Where do you think the line is between justice and revenge?
- A young neighbour is tempted by a very different path. What do you think pulled him there, and what pulled him back?
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The Equalizer 2
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