End of Watch (2012)

Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña star in David Ayer's gritty police drama.

Brian Taylor and Mike Zavala are Los Angeles cops whose duties usually see them dealing with minor street misdemeanours. But events conspire to make them targets for a powerful Mexican drugs cartel. Shot almost entirely using handcams, the film has a documentary feel throughout. And, while the fast-paced cuts, bumpy chase scenes and buddy dynamics are present and correct, the relationship between the two protagonists is believable enough to foster concern when the bullets start flying.