Jake Gyllenhaal & David Ayer's Action-Thriller With 85% RT Score Surges On Streaming 12 Years Later

A Jake Gyllenhaal-led action movie, directed by David Ayer, has grown on streaming 12 years after its original release. Gyllenhaal has appeared in many widely known, and now cherished, films throughout his career, and earned an Academy Award nomination for his role in the 2005 drama Brokeback Mountain. He has also excelled in mysteries and thrillers, most of which garnered praise, having starred as the eponymous character in Donnie Darko, and landing roles in Prisoners and Nightcrawler. In recent years, Gyllenhaal joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Quentin Beck/Mysterio and led Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant and Road House.

Ayer, on the other hand, has primarily helmed action movies throughout his career, including Street Kings and Fury, and may have acquainted himself with larger audiences with the release of Suicide Squad in 2016. Since then, he has directed Bright, starring Will Smith and Joel Edgerton, and worked with Jason Statham on the commercially successful The Beekeeper and upcoming film A Working Man. However, Ayer has also collaborated with Gyllenhaal in the past, and their critical hit has been surging on the streaming charts.

End Of Watch Viewership Has Jumped On Streaming

The 2012 Action Thriller Is Charting On Max

Gyllenhaal starred as policeman Brian Taylor in End of Watch, an action thriller that premiered back in 2012. Written and directed by Ayer, the movie followed Brian and Mike Zavala, partners of the Los Angeles Police Department, who uncover dangerous criminal activity. Along with Gyllenhaal, the End of Watch cast included Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, David Harbour, America Ferrera and Frank Grillo. Upon release, the film generated over $57 million at the box office and received praise from audiences, currently holding a score of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Beekeeper, Suicide Squad and End of Watch

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Now, a little over 12 years after the movie hit theaters, End of Watch is gaining renewed viewership on Max, as it presently ranks No. 3 on the streaming platform’s Top 10 Movies Today list. The found footage-style action-thriller is only behind the recently premiered The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim and Anthony Mackie’s Elevation.

Beyond End of Watch, the rest of Max's top 10 sees the movie situated ahead of the Oscar-nominated Flow at No. 4, the documentary Who is Luigi Mangione? at No. 5, Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh's A24 drama We Live in Time at No. 6, Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart's Central Intelligence at No. 7, Keanu Reeves' Speed at No. 8, Watchmen Chapter II at No. 9, and We Beat the Dream Team at No. 10.

Our Take On The End Of Watch Streaming Surge

Ayer & Gyllenhaal's Movie Regains Popularity

As End of Watch grows on streaming, perhaps the 2012 movie can regain its popularity and draw new viewers. Not only does it boast an impressive critic-based score on Rotten Tomatoes, but all audiences appear to enjoy the thriller, as evidenced by the 86% Popcornmeter rating. Gyllenhaal, who has given many notable performances, may be another appeal to audiences, as well as Peña and more, who have fanbases of their own. Now, it will be interesting to see how long End of Watch continues to surge on Max, and if any other Ayer movies follow.