Florin Scanlon’s review published on Letterboxd:
At the same time entertaining, intense, moving and gut-wrenching, David Ayer's End of Watch is a simple yet powerful and unexpectedly heartfelt action drama that shows more depth than it has the right to. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena as LAPD partners Brian Taylor and Miguel Zavala working in one of the toughest neighborhoods in South Los Angeles, the film explores without reservations the dangers that come with the job's description, the type of people that would willingly take a job like this and the toll it takes on them. It also delves into how danger brings us closer and how strong, lasting bonds form in the least cheerful scenarios or expected places, much to Death's dismay.
The brilliance of End of Watch and the reason for being so effective lies in the decision to focus on the relationship between Brian and Miguel in a natural and realistic way, shaping their characters through their day-to-day experiences at work, through their interaction with colleagues, citizens, criminals and especially through their interactions with each other. It's the kind of movie that can't afford using any cliches or cinematic flourishes as the appearance of a single false note would go against what it sets out to accomplish. It's the kind of movie that, in order to bring these fleshed-out characters to life it must (and does) stay true to itself, confidently relying on little else besides the two leading actors' talent and virtuosity.
Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena don't disappoint as they both deliver amazing performances, so much so that it's hard to think of a better pair of actors in their place. Through their impeccable chemistry you instantly empathize with them and there's no difficulty whatsoever in believing in their visibly strong friendship as soon as the movie starts. They're so great together that, in a poorly handled movie their characters would probably come off as too arrogant, over-confident, cocky and cool, which would make the movie feel too artificial and movie-like, glamorizing what means to be a cop; it's not that they're not cocky and a bit full of themselves (they are) but here this is handled much better and it goes to show what kind of people would want to work in the police force. No offense, but you have to be just a little bit crazy (in the good sense of course) to be a cop and to willingly put your life on the line. Their put-on macho man behavior and bravura around others is, in a way, their acceptance of the fact that they might die any day, embracing the randomness of fate while hiding their fear of death.
Employing a documentary style to make the experience feel as realistic, visceral, raw and intense as possible and to get the audience in the midst of chaos alongside the police officers, End of Watch is one hell of a ride, both in terms of adrenaline and emotionally. It offers entertainment while paying tribute to the hard work of those who risk their lives to make sure we're safe but also to the side of the human nature that makes this possible.