Denzel Washington’s Most Intense Movie No One Talks About

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Despite Denzel Washington’s numerous thrilling roles throughout his career, one particularly intense film from 2003 often goes unnoticed by many admirers. Early in his acting journey, Washington graced the screen in several historical dramas such as ‘Glory’, ‘Malcolm X’, and ‘Philadelphia’. However, following his first Best Actor Oscar win for the 2001 thriller ‘Training Day’, his career experienced a shift. At age 47, he became a box-office sensation in action movies.

In a change of pace, Washington swapped his Oscar-worthy performances for action roles in movies such as Man on Fire, The Manchurian Candidate, Inside Man, Deja Vu, and more. Along the way, he dabbled in some critically acclaimed films, but it’s clear that his most successful ventures have been action flicks, even as he enters his 70s. However, the 2003 film Out of Time is often overlooked, yet it is one of Washington’s most gripping performances.

What Makes Out Of Time So Intense

Denzel Starred In A Film Noir Thriller In 2003

In the film “Training Day,” Denzel Washington delivered his most compelling action movie performance, showcasing his ability to embody a genuine antagonist – one who was lethal and crafty. This role earned him the accolade of Best Actor at the Oscars. Generally, Washington is known for portraying heroic characters, so it was surprising to see him fully embrace the dark side, given that he was playing a corrupt cop. Two years after “Training Day,” Washington again took on the role of a corrupt officer, but this time, his character was distinct because he wasn’t inherently evil.

The movie Out of Time isn’t just a mystery thriller; it also has elements reminiscent of neo-noir. Although it doesn’t have the same level of gloominess as traditional noir films, it shares some key characteristics. In this story, Washington plays Matt, a respected chief of police in the community. However, his personal life is troubled. He’s going through a divorce with his wife who’s also a homicide detective. He’s involved with Ann (Sanaa Lathan), a woman who’s married to an abuser. This woman can be seen as a classic femme fatale, willing to go to great lengths to achieve her objectives.

When she deceives Matt into believing she has cancer and then feigns her own death, he steals money from evidence following a drug bust to finance her fictitious treatment in Switzerland. However, when he discovers the truth about her health and her demise, he embarks on a journey of deception to hide his crimes, as his wife, who is investigating the case, begins to close in. With the enigmatic character of the femme fatale driving the plot and Matt’s intimate connections with those around him adding an emotional depth, the movie becomes a thrilling race against time for Matt to save himself from the consequences of his actions.

Why Out Of Time Wasn’t A Success

The Movie Had Too Much Competition At Theaters

It’s intriguing to note that despite its accolades, Out of Time didn’t achieve greater popularity. This film boasts positive critic reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, earning a 65% fresh score. In addition, it was awarded Best Theatrical Film at the 2004 Black Reel Awards, with Sanaa Lathan taking home the Best Actress prize. Denzel Washington and director Carl Franklin also received nominations for their work.

Despite earning $55.5 million against a budget of $50 million, the movie “Out of Time” didn’t perform as well as expected. In contrast, Washington’s subsequent film, “Man on Fire,” garnered $130.3 million at the box office, despite having a lower Rotten Tomatoes score (38%). So, what could have contributed to “Out of Time’s” underperformance?

Part of the answer lies in MGM’s history of box office flops, including “Rollerball,” “Windtalkers,” and “Hart’s War.” Additionally, “Out of Time” was director Carl Franklin’s last film before transitioning to television.

As a film enthusiast, one factor that contributed to the box office disappointment of “Out of Time” was its unfortunate release alongside the critically acclaimed “School of Rock.” Being Jack Black’s most celebrated cinematic performance, this Richard Linklater production was budget-friendly and earned an impressive $131.3 million globally, effectively outperforming “Out of Time” financially right off the bat.

Domestically, “Out of Time” didn’t show any signs of longevity either; it plummeted by a staggering 46.9% in its second week and failed to garner significant attention overseas, bringing in just $14.4 million internationally.

In theaters, the action film titled “The Rundown“, starring Dwayne Johnson, was still running strong and caused a setback for “Out of Time“. The situation worsened when “Kill Bill: Volume 1” premiered one week after the release of “Out of Time“, effectively sinking it. However, with the advent of streaming platforms, fresh viewers can now encounter “Out of Time” for the first time, and it’s possible that Denzel Washington’s movie may finally receive the recognition it has long deserved.

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2025-06-05 19:27