Watch Equal Standard

Equal Standard is a crime drama film released in 2020, directed by Brendan Kyle Cochrane and written by Lance Lowry. The film boasts an incredible cast with Ice-T as the lead, portraying a police officer named Bishop, who is determined to solve a case of police brutality on an unarmed black man. The movie revolves around an incident that takes place in New York City, where a group of cops pursue a young black man named Mike, who they believe is involved in a robbery. In a bid to escape the cops, Mike ends up getting shot by one of them, which turns into a full-blown case of police brutality.

As the authorities conduct an investigation into the shooting, Bishop, who is a seasoned cop, is assigned to the case, during which he uncovers a deep-seated systemic problem of discrimination within the police department. Bishop finds out that most of the cops responsible for the abuse of power all share a similar background, they are mostly white and from the same town.

Equal Standard delivers an unflinching look at the underbelly of law enforcement in America. The film explores how systemic racism and discrimination perpetuate a cycle of violence against communities of color, and how this cycle is perpetuated by the police themselves. The film is also a commentary on how the media has a huge role to play in shaping public perception around issues of police brutality, and the erasure of black stories.

Throughout the film, we see how Bishop is routinely disrespected and undermined by his fellow officers. Bishop is seen as a 'race traitor' for defying the white cop hierarchy within the police department. The film tackles issues of the blue code of silence, where officers are hesitant to speak out against their fellow officers’ actions even when they are in seeming violation of human rights.

Equal Standard is a movie about hope, determination, and resistance in the face of unspeakable cruelty. The film has a pace that is deliberate and measured, allowing the viewer to fully immerse themselves in the world it presents. The film’s cinematography is sleek and stylish, the score does a fantastic job of setting the mood for each scene. The script, while not always subtle, carries important messages and themes that are timely and essential for viewers globally.

The acting performances in Equal Standard are top-notch. Ice-T is commanding and intense as Bishop. His performance is nuanced, and he has a natural chemistry with his co-stars. Mezi Atwood, who plays Mike's brother, delivers a heart-wrenching performance that perfectly captures the pain felt by communities that are affected by police brutality. Robert Clohessy, who plays Sergeant Golbaum, is almost a caricature of the typical white police officer, his performance showcases what might occur when power goes unchecked and racism becomes a dominant force.

Equal Standard is an important film that confronts societal issues head-on. It shows the audience plainly the gross injustices that happen daily in communities of color, especially those that live in poverty. The film deserves accolades for boldly making such assertions and for taking a stand against police brutality. It’s a film for the times and, though difficult to watch, it’s worth watching. Overall, Equal Standard is a gripping, tense and must-see movie, that doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects.

Equal Standard is a 2021 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9.