Equal Standard
Crime film by Brendan Kyle Cochrane
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Equal Standard is a 2020 American crime drama film written by Taheim Bryan and directed by Brendan Kyle Cochrane. The film stars Ice-T, Maurice Benard, Tobias Truvillion, Syleena Johnson, Robert Clohessy, Chris Kerson and Jules Willcox. The film follows New York City Detective Chris Jones (Tobias Truvillion), who gets shot by a white detective, returns fire and kills him.
- Taheim Bryan
- Brendan Kyle Cochrane
- Treach
- Jen Emma Hertel
- Rob Simmons
| Equal Standard | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Brendan Kyle Cochrane |
| Written by | Taheim Bryan |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Snyder Derival |
| Edited by | Pete Talamo |
| Music by | Ben B. Goss |
Production companies | First Born Production Digital Seven |
| Distributed by | Mutiny Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 111 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $15,938[1] |
The film was released in selected theatres on May 7, 2021, by Mutiny Pictures.[2] Film writer Taheim Bryan was shot to death in New York City in August 2021 while sitting in his Mercedes-Benz.[3]
Plot
After spending an evening with a friend in Brooklyn, NYPD Detective Chris Jones is confronted by two white detectives who mistake him for a criminal. The situation escalates when one of the officers aggressively draws his weapon. Chris identifies himself as a police officer, but the confrontation spirals out of control, leading to a shootout in which Chris is wounded and one of the detectives is killed. The incident immediately sparks outrage throughout the city, inflaming already volatile tensions between law enforcement and the Black community.
As Internal Affairs launches an investigation, Chris is arrested and portrayed in the media as a rogue cop despite evidence suggesting he acted in self-defense. Captain Chavat Issak attempts to contain the fallout while balancing pressure from police leadership, angry civilians, and political figures eager to exploit the tragedy. Meanwhile, rival gangs and community activists react to the shooting in different ways, some demanding justice peacefully while others prepare for violent retaliation against the police.
The city descends further into chaos after another controversial police shooting involving an unarmed Black teenager. Public demonstrations erupt across New York, and divisions within the NYPD become increasingly apparent. Some officers privately support Chris and acknowledge systemic racism within the department, while others view him as a traitor responsible for worsening anti-police sentiment. Chris struggles emotionally as his personal life deteriorates under the weight of the investigation, media scrutiny, and threats from both criminals and fellow officers.
As evidence surrounding the original shooting emerges, corruption and misconduct within the police department are exposed. Internal Affairs uncovers racist behavior among several officers connected to the incident, revealing that Chris had been unfairly targeted from the beginning. However, the revelations do little to calm public anger as violence spreads through neighborhoods already plagued by mistrust and poverty. Gang leaders, civilians, and police officers all suffer losses as cycles of retaliation continue escalating.
In the climax, multiple storylines converge during a tense confrontation between police and armed gang members. Several characters are killed or seriously injured as the city reaches a breaking point. Chris ultimately survives and is partially vindicated when investigators confirm he acted lawfully, but the damage caused by systemic racism, corruption, and fear proves irreversible. The film ends on a somber note, emphasizing that both the community and law enforcement remain trapped in a cycle of violence and distrust despite attempts at accountability and reform.
Cast
- Tobias Truvillion as Detective Chris Jones
- Syleena Johnson as Sergeant Jackie Jones
- Ice-T as Croft
- Maurice Benard as Captain Chavat Issak
- Robert Clohessy as Internal Affairs Detective Rullan
- Chris Kerson as Detective Kevin McKenzie
- Jules Willcox as Kathy McKenzie
- Fredro Starr as Du
- Hassan Johnson as Justice
- Marc John Jefferies as Kenny Williamson
- Jermaine Hopkins as Jermaine
- Anthony 'Treach' Criss as Trigger
- Myles Clohessy as Officer Mitchell
- James Doherty as Officer Jacobs
- Gabriella Sophia Terrero as Kimberly Rullan
- Jermel Howard as Mel
- Kresh Novakovic as Officer Parmeto
- Sal Rendino as Jim Hannigan
- Hilary Barraford as Katie Mitchell
- Josh Berresford as Detective Jack Mullen
- Bill Weeden as Mr. Gorka
- Darlene Dues as Michael's Mother
- Brad Fleischer as Josh McKenzie
- Gerard Cordero as Detective Jean Rivera
- Vincent Minutella as Internal Affairs Detective Jerry Rifkin
- Hwalan Shub as Detective Kate Summers
- Ameerah Briggs as Ashley Williamson
- Reggie Talley as Michael Williamson
- Audrey Labarthe as Detective Susan Rosette
Reception
Film critic Tomris Laffly from Variety gave it a mixed review writing: "Trying to be The Wire of the BLM era, Brendan Kyle Cochrane's haphazardly edited New York-based drama of shifting perspectives feels too unfocused and overstuffed for a feature." and same time praised Truvillion's performance writing: "Thankfully, Truvillion in one of the leading parts is an exception to this overarching shortcoming. As Chris, a good cop in a barrel of bad apples, he puts forth a performance that is in equal parts authentic and tender."[4]
Sandie Angulo Chen from Common Sense Media gave it 3 of 5 stars writing: "Relevant themes and Truvillion's stand-out performance rescue this drama from preachy dialogue and oversimplification of the tensions between Black communities and law enforcement."[5]