Review: End of Watch, Jake Gyllenhaal on patrol

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

Find out moreClose

In my reporting on women's reproductive rights, I've witnessed the critical role that independent journalism plays in protecting freedoms and informing the public.

Your support allows us to keep these vital issues in the spotlight. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to fight for truth and justice.

Every contribution ensures that we can continue to report on the stories that impact lives

Kelly Rissman

US News Reporter

David Ayer's quasi-documentary drama has a jittery energy, if not much flow as a narrative. It follows the day-to-day patrols of two LA cops, Brian (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Mike (Michael Peña), as they chase down villains, get into fights, chew the fat in their cruiser, rescue kids from a house on fire, and deal with "the major food groups – money and guns".

They see horrible things, and Brian, wielding a videocam, records most of them. It's your averagely violent, averagely squalid tour through the hell of South Central Los Angeles, with one big difference.

Ayer's previous form in this territory – he wrote Training Day for Denzel Washington, and directed Street Kings – usually involves a background of conspiracy and at least one bad-apple cop. This time the cops are good guys who, amid all the pranks and joshing, mind one another's backs.

A thin plot trickles through the daily routine – a Mexican drugs cartel is after the pair – which brings it down almost to a Grand Theft Auto level of thuggery. It's nothing we haven't seen or heard before, but Ayer's muscular film-making keeps us absorbed.