End of Watch 2012

The film’s opening scene sets the tone for a gripping portrayal of life on the streets of South Central Los Angeles. A high-speed police chase culminates in a shootout, leaving no doubt about the intensity that lies ahead. This is the world of Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal), a former Marine turned cop, and his partner Miguel Zavala (Michael Pena). As they navigate the mean streets, Taylor’s passion for filmmaking prompts him to document their police activities, much to the dismay of his fellow officers.

The two officers’ camaraderie is put to the test when they respond to a public disturbance call. Tre, a Bloods gang member, unleashes a torrent of racist insults at Zavala, prompting Taylor’s approval and Zavala’s acceptance of a fight. Despite emerging victorious, Zavala chooses not to press charges, earning Tre’s respect in the process. However, this act of kindness is short-lived as Tre and his fellow Bloods are brutally attacked by a group of Surenos (Southerners) in a drive-by shooting that results in the death of one of Tre’s friends.

The next day, Taylor and Zavala stumble upon the burnt-out remains of the vehicle used in the attack. They’re hastily dispatched from the scene by homicide detectives, leaving them with more questions than answers. The officers’ investigation is further complicated when they respond to a missing children call that leads them to a crack house where the young victims are being held captive.

As Taylor and Zavala navigate the treacherous landscape of gang violence and corruption, Taylor finds himself drawn to Janet (Anna Kendrick), a woman who challenges him to confront his demons. Meanwhile, their investigation takes a personal turn when Taylor becomes suspicious of Big Evil, a notorious gang member responsible for the drive-by shooting that claimed Tre’s friend.

Taylor’s hunch leads him to scope out the home of Big Evil’s mother, where they discover a truck filled with ornate firearms and a large sum of money. Days later, the officers find themselves in the midst of a house fire, heroically rescuing children from the inferno but emerging battered and bruised. Their bravery earns them the Medal of Valor, but it also prompts Taylor to convince Zavala to further investigate the house where they found the truckload of guns.

Their probe leads them to another stash of weapons and a cell full of human trafficking victims being held captive. Just as they’re about to make an arrest, ICE agents arrive on the scene, revealing that the operation is tied to the Sinaloa Cartel. The agents urge Taylor and Zavala to lay low due to the potential for reprisals from the cartel, leaving them to wonder if their actions will have far-reaching consequences.

As Gabby (Natalie Matrinez) gives birth to their first child, Taylor’s world is filled with a sense of new beginnings. However, the tranquility is short-lived as an urgent distress call from Sook, Van Hauser’s probationary partner, shatters the peace. With Zavala by his side, Taylor responds to the call and finds Van Hauser lying on the ground, a knife lodged in his eye. The gravely injured officer points them towards a nearby alley, where they discover Sook being brutally assaulted by a large Latino gang member. Without hesitation, Taylor arrests the attacker instead of taking his life. As the victims are whisked away to the hospital, the officers learn that Van Hauser will not be returning to duty and Sook is leaving the force.

Meanwhile, Taylor marries Janet, and their wedding reception becomes an opportunity for Sarge, their boss, to regale a group of Marines with the story of his fallen partner, who sacrificed his life to save him. The somber tale serves as a poignant reminder of the risks that come with being a law enforcement officer. Zavala takes this moment to reassure Taylor that he will always prioritize Janet’s well-being should anything happen to him.

The next day, Taylor and Zavala perform a welfare check on an elderly woman at the request of her daughter. Upon entering the residence, they are met with a shocking discovery: drugs, dismembered corpses, and a chilling message from the cartel. This grim finding serves as a stark reminder that their work is not limited to the confines of their own city.

As Taylor and Zavala navigate these treacherous waters, they become aware of the cartel’s surveillance footage in Mexico, which features a contract killing aimed directly at them. The same Latino gang members who earlier ambushed Van Hauser begin to stalk the officers, plotting their demise. Tre, out of respect for his past encounter with Zavala, warns Taylor and Zavala about rumors suggesting they have been “Green lit,” but they choose to ignore these ominous warnings.

Janet’s pregnancy becomes a source of joy for Taylor, who is eager to start a new chapter in his life. However, this serenity is short-lived as the officers are lured into an apartment complex by a reckless driver, only to find themselves ambushed by the same gang of Latino thugs. Taylor is struck in the hand and his radio is destroyed. Forced to take refuge in an apartment, Taylor realizes that they must fight their way out.

The two officers engage in a fierce battle as they make their way into an alley, where they are once again met with a hail of gunfire. Taylor is shot in the chest and appears to succumb to his injuries. As Zavala desperately tends to his partner, the assassins arrive and open fire on him, ultimately ending his life. The chaos eventually subsides as backup arrives, and the gangsters meet their demise after refusing to surrender.

As the police funeral procession comes to a close, Taylor stands at the podium, his voice cracking with emotion as he attempts to deliver a eulogy for his fallen brother in blue, Zavala. Yet, despite his best efforts, all that manages to escape his lips is a heartfelt, yet hauntingly simple declaration: “He was my brother.” The weight of these words hangs heavy in the air, a poignant reminder of the profound bond that had formed between the two officers.

In a jarring juxtaposition to the somber atmosphere, the film then flashes back to a carefree moment from Zavala’s past, where he regales Taylor with a hilarious tale of his youthful indiscretion. It seems that in his pre-police days, Zavala was all set to get intimate with Gabby when her parents unexpectedly walked in on them. With no time to make a hasty exit, Zavala found himself forced to take cover under Gabby’s parents’ bed, subjected to the unvarnished reality of their amorous encounter. The absurdity of the situation is only amplified by the fact that Zavala and Taylor receive a call from dispatch mere moments later, prompting them to abandon their romantic interlude in favor of more pressing matters: “Time to fight some crime!” As the scene fades to black, it’s impossible not to be struck by the bittersweet contrast between the gravity of the present and the lightheartedness of the past.