End of Watch
End of Watch

End of Watch

2012Movie109 minEnglish

Two young officers are marked for death after confiscating a small cache of money and firearms from the members of a notorious cartel during a routine traffic stop.

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Insights

IMDb7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes85%
Metacritic64/100
Google Users88%
Director: David AyerGenres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

The film follows the daily lives of two LAPD officers, Brian Taylor and Mike Zavala, as they patrol the dangerous streets of South Central Los Angeles. Their partnership is forged in fire, navigating high-stakes encounters with drug cartels and violent criminals. Told through a mix of found footage and traditional cinematography, the story captures the intense bond between the officers and the brutal reality of their job.

Critical Reception

End of Watch was widely praised for its raw, visceral portrayal of police work and the genuine chemistry between its leads. Critics lauded the film's intense action sequences, emotional depth, and its unique visual style, though some found the found-footage elements occasionally distracting. It was a commercial success, resonating with audiences for its gritty realism and powerful performances.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intense, realistic portrayal of police patrol.
  • The strong chemistry between Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña was a highlight.
  • The film effectively balances gritty action with emotional depth.

Google audience: Audiences overwhelmingly enjoyed the film's authentic depiction of police officers' lives and the powerful friendship between the main characters. Many viewers found it to be an exciting and moving experience, highlighting the strong performances and gripping narrative.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead for Jake Gyllenhaal.

Fun Fact

To prepare for their roles, Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña spent five months riding along with real LAPD officers, experiencing firsthand the challenges and dangers of their job.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
signsoflife

signsoflife

Realistically, a decent movie, with a lot of odd choices. The main attraction (aside from its cast—<i>Anna Kendrick is the only reason I watched this</i>), is its cinematography: originally a premise of a buddy cop movie made out of bits an...
Gimly

Gimly

A good duo at the forefront of this thing, but I don't especially care for the half-assed documentary schematic or, you know... cops. _Final rating:★★★ - I liked it. Would personally recommend you give it a _
LastCaress1972

LastCaress1972

Officers Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Zavala (Michael Peña) are LA beat cops, partnered up a long time. We watch them in action via a number of set pieces, and see that they're cynical enough to interpret the rules as necessary but still by...