not for kids
Disturbingly violent but heroic depiction of L.A. cops.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that End of Watch -- a handheld-footage-style drama about two L.A. police officers -- has all of the violence you'd expect from a mature cop story (guns, shooting, blood, dead bodies, etc.) and then some: Gruesome and horrific violence is committed against women, children, and others. The language, too, is extremely strong and constant, with what seems like hundreds of uses of "f--k" (and plenty other salty words, too). There's strong sexual innuendo, and the main characters are shown to be intimate and affectionate with their wives/girlfriends. No nudity is shown, but there are scantily clad women in a dance club, and two women kiss. Drugs (pot, cocaine) are shown and discussed. Still, End of Watch has a genuine high regard for the bravery and teamwork of police officers.
- Families can talk about End of Watch's extreme violence. How much of it was necessary to tell the story? Was it thrilling or frightening? How does its impact compare to the gore of a horror movie?
- Are these characters role models? How does the movie make you feel about police officers?
- Why do you think language and sexual innuendo are so strong in this movie? Do these characters need it for a release from the pressures of their job? Why?
- The characters place a great deal of importance on family, wives, and children. Does their job's dangerous nature increase the need for a family?
The good stuff
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Messages: Despite its strong violence and subject matter, End of Watch has a heartfelt appreciation for the bravery, dedication, and heroism of police officers (without being preachy). Cops are shown risking their lives, saving others, and working together.
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Role models: Though the two main characters are in a dangerous occupation and could get killed at any moment -- and are prone to using foul language and having occasional outbursts of temper -- they're genuinely brave and heroic, and they work together extremely well. They have a strong, supportive friendship.
What to watch for
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Violence: End of Watch goes above and beyond the type of gun violence, shootings, deaths, and blood you'd expect from a cop movie. While on patrol, cops discover horrific scenes -- like two small children tied up with duct tape and locked in a closet, a human trafficking ring with people locked up in inhuman conditions, and mutilated bodies. One character is shown with a knife sticking out of his eye. A huge male thug beats a female cop senseless, battering her face in.
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Sex: Heavy sexual innuendo; characters discuss their sexual relationships frankly. The main character is shown kissing and engaging in foreplay with his girlfriend; sex is implied. The other main character is shown to be affectionate with his wife (who's pregnant). One scene takes place inside a dance club with scantily clad women. Two women kiss during this scene.
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Language: A constant stream of language includes hundreds of uses of "f--k" and "s--t," as well as "motherf----r," "bitch," "d--k," "ass," "a--hole," "c--k," "hell," "damn," the "N" word, "p---y," "goddamn," "oh my God," and Spanish slang like "puto." "Jesus" and "God" are also used as exclamations.
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Consumerism: Mentions of Home Depot and Starbucks.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: In a dance club, a character lights up what looks to be a joint. A stash of cocaine is found and shown. Some minor characters are (alleged) drug dealers.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
End of Watch, but could watch over and over by Darkola
This was a really good movie all around, beginning with the acting, both Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña did a great job, very believable characters, who as partners, became vey much in the same sense brothers in their own way in which the looked out for each other, and each others families. The plot also was really good, and the time they took to show them as partners on other police calls leading up to the plot. The movie takes the time also to throw in alot of comedy, which fits the style of the movie, that keeps you laughing at times. The movie shows how these officers do their daily routines, and how they put their lifes on the line for many of the calls they take, and it also shows their relationships with their families, and the prices that are paid for having their line of work. The only real fault I have is them using their own cameras to film, never was a fan of that in movies, but thats just my opinion, other then that, I'd give this 3 1/2 stars out of 4 ... Enjoy :)
4
Another Great Cop Movie by kodak5-0
If you like cop movies, are a cop, or even in hopes of being a cop one day, this is a movie that you must see. Shows you the life of what law enforcement officers face each day. Though some of the portrayal of cops is a bit far fetch in regards to a couple of actions most of the other stuff is pretty close to the uncertainty that one may find in that career. Movie is full of action, comedy, drama, and a hint of romance.
5
End of Watch by MrsHos
My husband and I saw this on our last date night. It was a perfect combination of action, drama, and comedy. They did a great job of showing how your partner becomes part of your family.
5
85% Accurate portrail of Shooten Newton by burdy13
I saw this movie last month and I loved it.. I was a Newton cop for many years and they filmed at the station, well the patio and the parking lot are Newton... the rest is a set. They had a special viewing for over a 150 Newton Coppers...even though we're LAPD, Newton is a special place.
They did a great job portraying the camaraderie between the cops, very true to life. All the locations and the houses they went into are legitimate Newton houses. They had the terminology down and for the most part it was really accurate. They gave the gangsters to much credit and the women cops were a little to hard... but other then that it was awesome!!!
4
Very entertaining by catski66
Kind of what I expected from the trailer. Good dialogue between the two main characters and lots of good laughs in between some good action scenes. Definitely worth seeing
5
THIS MOVIE IS AWESOME-IT WAS FUNNY,INTERESTING AND HAD ALOT OF ACTION. by diaz.joseph
THIS MOVIE WAS AWESOME FROM START TO FINISH. IT HAD ME ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE MOVIE.. IT WAS A REALLY FUNNY MOVIE .LIKED ALL THE JOKES AND STORIES I HOPE THIS MOVIE WINS MOVIE OF THE YEAR OR WINS ALOT OF AWARDS BECAUSE THE MOVIE WAS FILMED GOOD.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE, I WOULD PAY TO WATCH IT AGAIN.
5
End Of Watch by jrm007
This movie us a must see . Gives you the harsh reality that people actually go through and grabs your undivided attention. It puts you in their shoes and makes your mind start going to work . Could.not have chosen better actors for this movie . I recommend 15 and over for violence reasons .
4
Shaky Camera Annoying and Distracting by rgeberhardt
This is a good movie with POOR photography. The idea that a moviegoer wants to sit for two hours watching a shaky hand held camera is a piss-poor one.
It is a shame that this good story line and excellent actors were wasted with this notion that was distracting and annoying from the first until the end.
Disappointing
5
MUST SEE! by jonesbfd17
This is even better than going to your niece's quinceañera! I was expecting "just another cop movie." That's not End of Watch. OMG. As a California native I can tell you, this is as real as it gets. This movie had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. It was not predictable in the least and the ending...well, you'll just have to go and see. Incredible film - a definite MUST SEE.
5
End of Watch by deannarope
I thought the movie was good, they were doing their job and run into something big and you'd think it wouldn't get any better but something else much bigger happens. It was a good movie.