Entertainment
HBO Max Is Removing Jake Gyllenhaal’s Gritty Crime Thriller in 10 Days
Police procedurals have always captivated audiences. From the early days of the genre with shows like Dragnet — which was one of the first of its kind to take the fascination with law enforcement off the pages of quick-to-read novels and onto the screen — the titles have performed well with viewers across multiple age groups. These days, every major network has their own primetime procedural that rakes in the viewership numbers hand over foot. On ABC there’s High Potential and 9-1-1; while NBC has long been the home of the long-running and beloved drama, Law & Order; with CBS finding a sprawling fandom with its three-season running title, Tracker.
On the big screen, police-centered entertainment often swings even harder as the feature-length format allows directors to dig into the drama of it all and drive their stories home. Movies like Antoine Fuqua’s Training Day, Martin Scorsese’s The Departed, and Michael Mann’s Heat have all not only grown a devoted following but also gained acclaim on the awards circuit. With over-the-top characters, high stakes, and a shorter time frame to put it all out there, these movies can be as thrilling as they are emotionally involved, which has helped them stand out as instant classics.
In 2012, David Ayer tried his hand at crafting a gritty police drama with the help of Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña in his film, End of Watch. Centered in South Central Los Angeles, the movie follows two LAPD officers, Brian (Gyllenhaal) and Mike (Peña), who are not only partners but close friends. Together, they patrol the streets, searching for gang members to bust all while staying alive to see their families at the end of the night. Unfortunately for HBO Max subscribers, time is running out to stream the pulse-pounding thriller as it’s set to leave the streamer on February 23.
Who Else Stars in ‘End of Watch’?
In addition to Gyllenhaal and Peña leading the police team, End of Watch also features performances from a standout ensemble that includes David Harbour (Stranger Things), Anna Kendrick (A Simple Favor), Frank Grillo (Tulsa King), America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), Natalie Martinez (Bad Monkey), Kristy Wu (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Maurice Compte (Dominique), and more.
Known for his work behind a multitude of high-octane features, Ayer is no stranger to police dramas as he worked alongside Fuqua as Training Day’s screenwriter. He also penned the 2003 film, S.W.A.T., and continued to pursue work in the same vein as a director through vehicles such as Harsh Times, Street Kings, Sabotage, and Bright.
Head over to HBO Max before February 23 to stream End of Watch.
- Release Date
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September 21, 2012
- Runtime
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109 minutes