5 Underrated Denzel Washington Films Worth Watching

Though Denzel Washington has often sidestepped major franchise films that feature him dispatching villains with makeshift weapons, his career is dotted with numerous remakes. Among them is the highly enjoyable “The Equalizer.” Washington has also headlined noteworthy films like “The Magnificent Seven,” “Man on Fire,” and the 2004 conspiracy thriller “The Manchurian Candidate.”

Directed by Jonathan Demme, “The Manchurian Candidate” is a reinterpretation of the 1964 classic, itself based on the 1959 novel of the same name. In this version, Washington steps into the role of Bennett Marco, a former U.S. Marine who is brainwashed into a mission to assassinate the President-elect.

Apart from Washington’s magnetic presence, the film boasts a powerhouse ensemble cast. Meryl Streep delivers a stellar performance, and the film features pre-“Ray Donovan” stars Jon Voight and Liev Schreiber. Additional talent includes Jeffrey Wright, Anthony Mackie, and Pablo Schreiber. However, despite the impressive line-up, the film struggled upon release, earning just over $96 million on an $80 million budget.

The film received mixed responses, particularly when compared to the original. At the time, it didn’t quite capture the audience’s imagination as expected. However, given today’s complex and charged global political atmosphere, “The Manchurian Candidate” might resonate more strongly now than it did upon its initial release. It offers a timely, thought-provoking watch that could reinvigorate interest in this overlooked entry in Washington’s filmography.