Top 10 Times Denzel Washington Went Beast Mode

“Flight” (2012)

Pilot Whip Whitaker might have substance use disorder, but he can also miraculously land a plane. He calmly takes control as the massive vehicle starts to lose control. Giving out directions to his co-pilot and the flight attendant, the captain tries everything in order to save everyone onboard. Whitaker makes a drastic maneuver that proves he’s a little crazy and amazingly skilled at his job. Doing the unthinkable, he inverts the plane in order to save the aircraft. The whole sequence happens with Washington giving one of his most exciting performances. He brings self-assurance in a way that makes his character feel like a born leader.

“Out of Time” (2003)

Chief of Police Matt Lee Whitlock finds himself in the center of a confusing and illegal plot about insurance money. When he confronts one of the perpetrators, they end up on the balcony of a hotel. Whitlock and his foe both fly over the edge as they hang on for dear life. Not only does Denzel Washington’s character save himself, but he gains the upper hand through sheer body strength and determination. He then sends his opponent to his death in a nail-biting moment. Washington’s performance sells the role as confident and totally able to go the extra mile. With this in mind, the hero pulls off a death-defying sequence that requires tons of upper-body strength.

“Glory” (1989)

Entering into a doomed battle, the regiment from the film “Glory” is prepared to fight to the death. One of the key moments comes after Colonel Shaw falls dead during the charge. Inspired to pick up the flag and carry on, Private Trip reveals his true bravery when he moves ahead into oncoming fire. Trip doesn’t hesitate in stepping forward to encourage the other soldiers. While he dies not long after, his heroism isn’t lost on any of his compatriots. It’s also a perfect way to showcase Denzel Washington’s character as a powerful force on the battlefield.

“Training Day” (2001)

Alonzo is not your average narcotics officer. Along with being corrupt, the crazed cop is action-movie ready with two pistols at all times. He and his partner prepare to leave a house when a woman attracts the attention of some local help. Gunfire hits the duo’s getaway car, prompting the anti-hero officer to draw his guns. Alonzo points both weapons in the direction of multiple shooters, showing that he’s fearless in the face of any threat. Denzel Washington won an Oscar for this performance and this scene features him in full command of his persona.

“The Equalizer 2” (2018)

After a woman exits a bad party, she hops into a Lyft where the concerned driver wants to help. It just so happens that the driver is Denzel Washington’s vigilante. He goes up to the apartment to avenge her, running into a group of businessmen in the process. They have no clue what they’re in for as the hero dispatches them one by one. Considering that they’re not fighters, their demise is especially satisfying as the veteran attacks them. Robert McCall might operate beyond the law, but he always does it with a justified motive that makes us root for him.

“2 Guns” (2013)

Throughout the film “2 Guns,” Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg’s presence is enough to make every sequence completely cool. This climactic scene serves as the culmination of their A-list energy. Washington’s character sets off a distraction before entering into slow motion, going back-to-back with his partner. They proceed to fire bullets in every direction in a perfectly-executed spectacle. Avoiding gunfire and lighting up a ton of bad guys, the two heroes have an almost superhuman ability to show off. It could easily be called a dumb cliché, but Washington’s performance makes it worth it with his Hollywood presence.

“The Book of Eli” (2010)

When some underlings approach Eli at a bar, they have no idea that they’re messing with a one-man wrecking crew. He’s initially minding his own business, but completely ready to unleash hell on his attackers. The hero pulls out a blade to dispatch multiple assailants in a flurry of chaos. Proving to be quite the swordsmith, the protagonist does it all in a mix of fast reflexes and skilled fighting techniques. He even throws in a sermon before finishing off the rest of them. If you spot this Denzel Washington character at a bar, you’d be much better off if you leave him alone.

“Man on Fire” (2004)

As the girl he’s protecting is kidnapped, John Creasy barely survives in a tense shootout with several armed assailants. The bodyguard then spends the remainder of the film on a violent spiral. He stops at nothing to find her and get revenge, leading him to fire an RPG at a carload of enemies. The antihero is definitely not afraid to cause destruction in the name of his mission. Throughout the scene, Washington’s performance shows everyone that his character is nothing short of efficient with weapons. Creasy’s accuracy, anger, and focus is intimidating as he dispatches a group of villainous men.

“The Equalizer” (2014)

Proving he can be a badass in any setting, Denzel Washington’s Robert McCall takes down the Russian mob in a hardware store. He lures them one by one through a maze of tools in this suspenseful sequence. Washington’s character doesn't need guns to take people down, using ordinary items to tear through mobsters. McCall’s precise movements are almost superhuman in their effectiveness. Later using a nail gun, the hero takes out the leader in a great display of his natural talents. The man’s ability to defeat a whole squad of armed men can’t be overstated as an impressive feat.

“American Gangster” (2007)

Real-life criminal Frank Lucas was ruthless and unpredictable during his heyday. With the help of Washington’s performance, these two key elements come out in a chilling scene. Lucas shows his power as he asks a mobster for money. In a calm delivery, he lays out his terms and then raises a gun. It all happens before anyone knows what hit them. The character shocks the entire street with his violent decision, proving that he’s untouchable in his neighborhood. One thing is for sure, you wouldn’t want to cross this guy on any day of the week.