Denzel Washingtonhas utilized his talents as one of the greatest actors ever to star in countless nail-biting thrillers. As a two-time Academy Award winner, Washington’s fascinating career has been characterized by sheer variety, as he’s excelled in fast-paced action, gutwrenching drama, and heart-racing thrillers over the years. Washington’s greatest thrillers brought together many styles that kept audiences coming back to witness bank heists, biographical crime stories, and thought-provoking sci-fi releases that have left an undeniable mark on modern cinema.
Some ofthe best Washington movieswere thrillers, as the actor’s unique blend of strong characterization, sinister charisma, and poetic power made him stand out as a defining actor of the 20th and 21st centuries. FromWashington’s collaborations with director Tony Scottand other acclaimed works with auteurs like Ridley Scott and Spike Lee,Washington’s filmography was one truly packed with thrills. For viewers looking for some incredible thrillers boasting strong performances, then look no further than toward the work of Washington.
Ricochet
Cast
Ricochet is a 1991 action thriller directed by Russell Mulcahy, starring Denzel Washington as Nick Styles, a rookie cop who becomes a hero after taking down a notorious villain.Years later, the villain, Earl Talbot Blake, escapes from prison and seeks revenge against Styles, who must confront his troubled past to stop him.
In the early 1990s, Denzel Washington had not yet fully shown off his skills as an ideal leading man for tense and exciting action thrillers. All this changed with his role as the former LAPD officer andDistrict Attorney Nick Styles in Russell Mulcahy’sRicochet. This shocking thriller also acted as afascinatingDie Hardspin-offas it featured Mary Ellen Trainor reprising her role as Gail Wallens from the iconic Bruce Willis movie.Ricochetfeatured Washington being terrorized by the deranged killer (John Lithgow), whom he had put away while he was still a cop.
This tense story of vengeance laid the groundwork for Washington’s future career in thrillers as he blended action and drama. With strong chemistry between Washington and Lithgow, the duo made excellent enemies, as the suave cop turned lawman must contend with a seething psychopathic megalomaniac determined to ruin his life. While Washington would have better thriller movies in later decades, this was an early career triumph that showcased he had what it took to play a leading man in action-packed thrillers.
Safe House
Safe House is a 2012 action-thriller directed by Daniel Espinosa. The film stars Ryan Reynolds as a rookie CIA agent who must protect a fugitive ex-operative, played by Denzel Washington, when their safe house comes under attack. The story unfolds as the unlikely duo navigates through a series of betrayals and danger to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy targeting them.
The action-thrillerSafe Housebrought Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds together for one of the stars' highest-grossing movies, taking in over $208 million (via Box Office Mojo.) As a tension-filled conspiracy where practically every character has a glaring moral flaw, Washington’s sinister characterization of Tobin Frost showed off his more villainous side.Safe Housetold the story of a low-level CIA operative (Reynolds) in over his head while contending the fugitive ex-operative turned international criminal Frost.
While this type of mismatched hero versus villain story has been told countless times before, Washington’s committed performance helped elevate the cliche-ridden aspects of its script. With plenty of fast-paced sequences and some good chemistry between its leads,Safe Housewould appeal to audiences who like their action movies simple with straightforward, well-resolved plotting. AlthoughSafe Housedidn’t win any points for originality, it knew what it was and did it well.
The Pelican Brief
The Pelican Brief is a legal thriller starring Julia Roberts as law student Darby Shaw, who uncovers a conspiracy that links the murders of two Supreme Court justices. Based on John Grisham’s novel, the film follows her tense journey with investigative reporter Gray Grantham, played by Denzel Washington.
While many viewers might associate Denzel Washington with intense action thrillers, he’s also excelled in more thoughtful thrillers like the John Grisham adaptationThe Pelican Brief. This story of law, order, and brutal assassinations was an intense legal thriller starring Washington and Julia Roberts, outlining criminal corruption and the adrenaline-pumping power of investigative journalism. With a complex narrative that blended intricate overlapping layers with engaging suspense,The Pelican Briefstood alongsideMalcolm XandPhiladelphiaas one of Washington’s best works during the 1990s.
Washington portrayed Gray Grantham inThe Pelican Brief, aWashington Heraldreporter who assisted Roberts as law student Darby Shaw, who has been falling further into a deadly conspiracy. As one of the best film adaptations of Grisham’s work,The Pelican Briefwas one of writer and director Alan J. Pakula’s second last film before he died in 1998. It was a pulpy thriller with plenty of twists and turns and one of Washington’s most underrated roles.
Déjà Vu
Déjà Vu, directed by Tony Scott, follows Federal agent Doug Carlin, who investigates a deadly explosion on a New Orleans ferry. Utilized by a secret government lab, a time-altering surveillance device becomes key to preventing the crime, leading Carlin into unforeseen complexities of time and reality.
The late, great Tony Scott directed Denzel Washington in the heart-racing sci-fi thrillerDéjà Vu, an intense movie about an agent traveling back in time to prevent a terrorist attack in New Orleans. With a potent mix of action, romance, and some mind-boggling time travel concepts,Déjà Vu’scomplex plot may fall apart if scrutinized too closely, but the action was so engaging that this almost didn’t matter. As Agent Douglas Carlin did everything in his power to stop an attack that had already happened, the tension grew as the life of the woman he loved was also on the line.
It’s easy to criticizeDéjà Vuas a preposterous action sci-fi, but its commitment to pure entertainment should be lauded, and Washington was great in the leading role. With epic setpieces and a commendable attempt to base its premise on some real-world science, the film’s pontification on the true nature of the passage of time gave it more depth than its action-packed premise suggested. Filmed on location after the devastating destruction of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans,Déjà Vuwas criticized (viaNY Times) for its depiction of decimated communities in the background of shots.
The Equalizer
The Equalizer is an action thriller directed by Antoine Fuqua starring Denzel Washington as Robert McCall, a former intelligence operative who lives a quiet life in Boston. When he encounters a young girl named Teri, played by Chloë Grace Moretz, threatened by violent Russian gangsters, McCall comes out of retirement to use his skills to restore justice. The film reimagines the 1980s TV series of the same name.
Although Denzel Washington has generally avoided franchises and sequels throughout his career, he broke this tradition with his role as Robert McCall inThe Equalizer. As the first in a trilogy of movies following the ex-Marine and DIA officer reluctantly returning to action,The Equalizerwas one of the most iconic roles in the latter part of Washington’s career. Despite promising his late wife that he would retire as a DIA operative, the trafficking of a teenage girl by Russian mobsters spurred McCall to action once again inThe Equalizer.
As a stylishly violent film that proved Washington’s skill as an older action star, à la Liam Neeson inTaken,The Equalizerwas a fascinating series for this acclaimed actor to choose to finally embrace franchise films. This origin story showcased a leading man with an unshakable moral compass, and it’s no surpriseWashington was keen to continue telling the story of McCall. While Washington asserted he’s finished with the character following the release ofThe Equalizer 3in 2023, director Antoine Fuqua has expressed interest (viaEW) in making another installment with Washington.
American Gangster
American Gangster is a 2007 crime film directed by Ridley Scott, featuring Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas, a heroin kingpin in Harlem, and Russell Crowe as Richie Roberts, the detective determined to bring him down. The film explores the rise of Lucas in the drug trade and the eventual intersection of their lives amidst the backdrop of a corrupt and morally complex society.
As one of Denzel Washington’s definitive roles, the real-life drug lord Frank Lucas inAmerican Gangsterwas a fascinating role that perfectly balanced the actor’s unique skills for strong characterization and cunning intimidation. Washington truly excelled in this epic game of cat and mouse, directed by Ridley Scott, who also starred Russell Crowe as the Newark Detective Richard Roberts, who was determined to bring him down.Washington’s performance echoed the menacing presence of his other roles, like Alonzo Harris, as he brought a steely resoluteness to the character.
American Gangsterwas one of the best crime films of the 2000s that felt simultaneously like an epic callback to classics of earlier eras and a modern exploration of social and political criminal behavior. Lucas’ real crime of smuggling heroin in planes containing the bodies of deceased Vietnam soldiers was the perfect metaphor for the sinister criminal behavior this movie’s themes opposed. As one of Washington’s most memorable roles,American Gangsterwas thrilling from start to finish.
Man on Fire
Man on Fire is a drama thriller directed by Tony Scott, featuring Denzel Washington as John Creasy, a burned-out ex-CIA operative turned bodyguard. He is hired to protect a young girl, Pita Ramos, played by Dakota Fanning, in Mexico City. As Creasy develops a bond with Pita, he is driven to exact vengeance when she is abducted, showcasing a relentless pursuit for justice against those responsible.
Man on Firewas the second of Denzel Washington’s five feature films with director Tony Scott. With Washington as John W. Creasy, a retired CIA operative on a mission for vengeance after the cartel attacked the family he vowed to protect, this was an action-packed story full of violence that also boasted a touchingly poignant story.Man on Firefeatured Washington opposite his nine-year-old co-star Dakota Fanning, whose accomplished performance added to the emotional nature of this film.
As a story of vigilante justice set amid a kidnapping in Mexico City,Man on Firewas one of Washington’s most intense movie performances. While in another actor’s hands, the zealous ruthlessness with which Washington seeks justice could have come across as melodramatic, Washington truly tapped into the emotional heft of this story and made it a truly unforgettable thriller.Man on Firewas an accomplished adaptation of a 1980 novel by A. J. Quinnellthat truly worked.
Crimson Tide
Crimson Tide is a 1995 thriller directed by Tony Scott, featuring Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman. It explores tensions aboard the USS Alabama, as Captain Frank Ramsey and Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter clash over military strategy, amidst a global threat from a breakaway Russian republic armed with nuclear warheads.
Crimson Tidewas Denzel Washington’s very first collaboration with Tony Scott and saw him star opposite screen legend Gene Hackman. This epic story told of a conflict between two US marines in a nuclear submarine during a nuclear standoff with Russia and was a nailbiting, edge-of-your-seat type movie made even more extraordinary by strong performances and a sharp script by Michael Schifferm withuncredited contributions from Quentin Tarantino. Washington played the second-in-command to Hackman as tension continued to build as their disagreement could have dire effects on a potential attack on the United States and Japan.
The story of mutiny and standoffs inCrimson Tideblended Scott’s unique brand of action and suspense with Washington’s unmatching performance skills. Echoing the Cold War nuclear tensions of the Cuban Missile Crisis,Crimson Tidewas a thrilling affair that signaled the pinnacle of Scott’s incredible filmography. As a war movie that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking, Crimson Tide featured everyone involved at the top of their game.
Inside Man
Inside Man, directed by Spike Lee, follows Detective Keith Frazier as he navigates a tense hostage situation in a Manhattan bank taken over by an armed, masked gang. Amidst negotiations, Frazier also contends with personal challenges involving corruption allegations, adding complexity to the unfolding drama.
The heist thrillerInside Manis the highest-grossing film in director Spike Lee’s entire filmography and featured Denzel Washington in one of his best roles. As the recently disgraced Detective Keith Frazier, Washington’s character was determined to achieve justice as he was tasked with negotiating with the ringleader of a major Manhattan bank heist. With a mastermind criminal (Clive Owen) convinced he’s pulled the perfect robbery, Inside Man was a smart genre film that thrillingly builds toward its epic conclusion.
With an all-star cast that also included Christopher Plummer, Jodie Foster, Willem Dafoe, and Chiwetel Ejiofor,Inside Manproved Lee’s talents within mainstream blockbuster crime movies, as many of his earlier works were lower-budgeted independent releases. With the star power of Washington at the helm, the many twists and turns throughout were all the more exciting due to the sheer power of the performances.
Training Day
Denzel Washington and Alonzo Harris star in Training Day, an action thriller that follows the two stars as Los Angeles narcotics officers. Jake Hoyt is prepping on his first major training day for a promotion as he spends spend a tense twenty-four hours across several L.A. crime-ridden neighborhoods as Jake sees the danger and horrors of the job.
Denzel Washington’s Academy Award-winning role as the corrupt LAPD Detective Alonzo Harris showcased the actor at his most menacing and compelling.Training Daytold the story of the ambitious rookie LAPD police officer Jake Hoyt’s (Ethan Hawke) first day on the job as he’s quickly embroiled in a world of corruption, deceit, intimidation, and underhanded tactics. As a brutal and thrilling drama,Training Daygot to the heart of police corruptionand the potential of those who wield their power for wrongdoing.
Training Daywas a dark and gritty look into the complex world of narcotics cops, where those who aren’t careful can find themselves on the wrong side of the law, taking part in the very things they were tasked to stop. With strong direction by Antoine Fuqua,Training Daygave the world perhaps Washington’s greatest character in Alonzo Harris. As a smashing creative success, Fuqua andDenzel Washingtonwould continue to collaborate with one another on theEqualizerseries.
