Jake Gyllenhaal smiles on the red carpetImage via Janet Mayer/INSTARimages.com
By
Britta DeVore
Published Feb 14, 2026, 7:00 PM EST
Britta DeVore is a Senior Author for Collider who has been known to dabble with Reality News as well.
Have you seen stories about 'Chucky,' 'Scream,' 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' 'The Boys,' 'Vanderpump Rules,' or any of 'The Real Housewives' franchises? That's probably a Britta DeVore-curated piece of art, and it sounds like you have great taste.
When she isn't sitting behind her laptop bringing readers her hot takes on upcoming projects or keeping the dream alive in the Senior News team, Britta can usually be found outside hiking or inside behind her drum set. She currently plays in two bands, Kid Midnight and Watergate, both based in Brooklyn. An obsessive traveler, Britta loves long road trips to the South West and has a soft spot in her heart for canyons, rivers, and forests.
She also has a tiny cat named Athena that she loves more than anything else in the world and is always happy for new brewery recs.
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Police procedurals have always captivated audiences. From the early days of the genre with shows like Dragnet — which was one of the first of its kind to take the fascination with law enforcement off the pages of quick-to-read novels and onto the screen — the titles have performed well with viewers across multiple age groups. These days, every major network has their own primetime procedural that rakes in the viewership numbers hand over foot. On ABC there’s High Potential and 9-1-1; while NBC has long been the home of the long-running and beloved drama, Law & Order; with CBS finding a sprawling fandom with its three-season running title, Tracker.
On the big screen, police-centered entertainment often swings even harder as the feature-length format allows directors to dig into the drama of it all and drive their stories home. Movies like Antoine Fuqua’s Training Day, Martin Scorsese’s The Departed, and Michael Mann’s Heat have all not only grown a devoted following but also gained acclaim on the awards circuit. With over-the-top characters, high stakes, and a shorter time frame to put it all out there, these movies can be as thrilling as they are emotionally involved, which has helped them stand out as instant classics.
In 2012, David Ayer tried his hand at crafting a gritty police drama with the help of Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña in his film, End of Watch. Centered in South Central Los Angeles, the movie follows two LAPD officers, Brian (Gyllenhaal) and Mike (Peña), who are not only partners but close friends. Together, they patrol the streets, searching for gang members to bust all while staying alive to see their families at the end of the night. Unfortunately for HBO Max subscribers, time is running out to stream the pulse-pounding thriller as it’s set to leave the streamer on February 23.
Who Else Stars in ‘End of Watch’?
In addition to Gyllenhaal and Peña leading the police team, End of Watch also features performances from a standout ensemble that includes David Harbour (Stranger Things), Anna Kendrick (A Simple Favor), Frank Grillo (Tulsa King), America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), Natalie Martinez (Bad Monkey), Kristy Wu (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Maurice Compte (Dominique), and more.
Known for his work behind a multitude of high-octane features, Ayer is no stranger to police dramas as he worked alongside Fuqua as Training Day’s screenwriter. He also penned the 2003 film, S.W.A.T., and continued to pursue work in the same vein as a director through vehicles such as Harsh Times, Street Kings, Sabotage, and Bright.
CL Report: Subscribe and never miss what matters
Dive into the world of entertainment with Collider, delivering the latest news, reviews, and exclusive updates from movies, TV, and pop culture Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.Head over to HBO Max before February 23 to stream End of Watch.
End of Watch
Like Follow Followed R Crime Drama Thriller Release Date September 21, 2012 Runtime 109 minutes Director David AyerCast
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Jake Gyllenhaal
Brian Taylor
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Michael Pena
Mike Zavala
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Natalie Martinez
Gabby Zavala
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Anna Kendrick
Janet Taylor
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End of Watch
CL Report: Subscribe and never miss what matters
Dive into the world of entertainment with Collider, delivering the latest news, reviews, and exclusive updates from movies, TV, and pop culture Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.What To Watch
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