Jake Gyllenhaal is having a moment—again. While the actor gears up for a potential box office comeback with the action thriller In The Grey (reuniting him with The Covenant director and co-starring Henry Cavill and Eiza González), it's a 14-year-old film that's currently stealing the spotlight. End of Watch, David Ayer's raw, documentary-style cop drama, has surged to the top of Starz's streaming charts in May 2026, proving that gritty realism never goes out of style.
Released in 2012, End of Watch follows LAPD officers Brian Taylor (Gyllenhaal) and Mike Zavala (Michael Peña) as they navigate the dangerous streets of South Central Los Angeles. Shot with a handheld, found-footage aesthetic, the film immerses viewers in the daily grind of police work—the adrenaline, the dark humor, and the ever-present threat of violence. It's a far cry from slick Hollywood action flicks, and that authenticity is exactly why it's still resonating with audiences today.
On a modest budget of just $7 million, End of Watch grossed over $55 million worldwide and earned rave reviews. It holds an 85% critics' score and an 86% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the highest-rated film in David Ayer's career. The film also features standout performances from Anna Kendrick and David Harbour, adding depth to the story of brotherhood and sacrifice.
Now, in 2026, the film is enjoying a streaming renaissance. It's not only a top performer on Starz but also available on Prime Video, Tubi, and Pluto TV. For fans of heart-stopping crime cinema, this is a must-watch that still packs a punch.
Gyllenhaal's recent projects have had mixed results—The Covenant and The Bride underperformed, though his turn in the legal thriller Presumed Innocent was widely praised. He won't return for Season 2 of that anthology, which now stars Rachel Brosnahan. Meanwhile, his M. Night Shyamalan thriller Remain has been pushed to early 2027. But with End of Watch dominating streaming, it's clear that Gyllenhaal's legacy is secure—and that audiences are hungry for the kind of visceral, no-nonsense storytelling that Ayer delivered.
If you haven't seen End of Watch yet—or if you want to relive one of the most intense buddy-cop movies ever made—now is the perfect time. Stream it on Starz, Prime Video, Tubi, or Pluto TV. And for more underrated gems, check out our list of underrated thrillers you need to watch right now.
