<P> The Equalizer 2 (sometimes promoted as The Equalizer II or EQ2) is a 2018 American vigilante thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua . It is a sequel to the 2014 film The Equalizer, which was based on the TV series of the same name . The film stars Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders, Melissa Leo, and Bill Pullman, and follows retired intelligence agent Robert McCall as he sets out on a path of revenge after one of his friends is killed . It is the fourth collaboration between Washington and Fuqua, following the The Equalizer, Training Day (2001), and The Magnificent Seven (2016). </P> <P> Talks of an Equalizer sequel began seven months prior to the release of the first film, in 2014 . The project was officially announced in April 2015, with Washington set to reprise his role, and Fuqua confirming his return to direct in September 2016 . Filming began in September 2017, and took place in Boston, as well as other areas around Massachusetts . It is the first time Denzel Washington has starred in a sequel to one of his films . </P> <P> The Equalizer 2 was released in the United States on July 20, 2018 by Sony Pictures Releasing . The film has grossed over $99 million and received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Washington's performance and the action sequences, but disliked the pacing and number of subplots . </P> <P> Former marine and intelligence operative Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) now lives in a diverse apartment complex in urban Massachusetts, working as a Lyft driver and helping the less fortunate with the help from his friend, Susan Plummer (Melissa Leo). Anonymously McCall travels to Istanbul by train to retrieve a local bookstore owner's daughter, who had been kidnapped by her father . McCall mercilessly beats a group of men for drugging and raping a woman, who he took to the hospital to have her stomach pumped . McCall also helps Sam Rubinstein (Orson Bean), an elderly Holocaust survivor, is looking for a painting of his sister who was separated from him when they were transported to different camps . After discovering the apartment courtyard has been vandalized, McCall accepts an offer to repaint the walls from Miles Whittaker (Ashton Sanders), a young resident with an artistic but troubled background . One day, Susan is called to investigate an apparent murder - suicide of an agent and his wife in Brussels along with DIA operative Dave York (Pedro Pascal), McCall's former teammate . After the investigation, they return to their hotel where Susan encounters assailants and is killed . After receiving the news of Susan's death McCall immediately investigates the incident, as well as the case Susan was investigating . McCall determines that the assailants were hired to kill Susan, as they knew what floor she was staying on . McCall also determines that the murder - suicide incident Susan was looking into was in fact a murder and Susan's death is attached to it . McCall informs York of his findings . </P>

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