Denzel Washington’s underrated thriller Ricochet, released in the early 1990s, showcases the actor in one of his most gripping roles, though the film’s origins are linked to the Dirty Harry franchise starring Clint Eastwood. Ricochet stars Washington as Nick Styles, a police officer turned District Attorney, who faces intense danger when a vengeful criminal he helped imprison escapes and seeks retribution.
By the time Ricochet was released, Washington had already earned an Oscar for his role in Glory and was steadily cementing his stature as both a dramatic and action movie star throughout the 1990s. That decade saw him balancing prestige films such as Malcolm X and Philadelphia with commercial hits like Crimson Tide and The Pelican Brief.
Washington’s Powerful Performance Transforms the Thriller
Ricochet blends crime thriller elements with action, with Washington delivering a nuanced portrayal of Nick Styles. As a protagonist, Styles is more than just a conventional hero facing off against a villain. Here, the antagonist Blake—played by John Lithgow—is not simply motivated by revenge but by a desire to inflict psychological torment on Styles, elevating the film beyond typical genre fare.
Lithgow’s role as Blake stands out for injecting an eerie sense of cruelty and enjoyment into the character’s malevolence. Washington, however, carries the film with his intense and multifaceted performance, giving depth to Nick Styles as a character who is flawed and complex. This portrayal hints at the powerhouse actor Washington would continue to develop in subsequent years.
The storyline follows a classic cat-and-mouse chase, but Ricochet adds an unsettling psychological dimension through Blake’s sadistic games, intensifying the tension beyond physical threats alone. This layered approach to storytelling helped make Ricochet a hidden gem deserving of more recognition within Washington’s extensive filmography.
The Film’s Origin as a Dirty Harry Sequel Script
Before Ricochet became associated with Washington, its concept was initially devised as a sequel script for the Dirty Harry franchise, a series famously starring Clint Eastwood as the tough, no-nonsense detective Harry Callahan. Writer Fred Dekker, a fan of the first two Dirty Harry movies but dissatisfied with later installments, penned a spec script imagining Harry Callahan confronting a former criminal who returns to make his life miserable.
“First of all, I really like Dirty Harry and Magnum Force. I’m a huge Eastwood fan. He’s one of my favorite movie stars. I think that Dirty Harry character was lightning in a bottle, because after the first two, the rest of the movies just weren’t up to snuff. So, I thought I would write a spec script. Unbeknownst to me, I was ripping off a movie I hadn’t seen, which was Cape Fear. I said: What if Harry arrested a guy years ago and the guy gets out of jail and starts making his life hell? It’s fairly generic up to this point. My producer, Joel Silver, claims to have sent it to Clint, but that doesn’t make any sense. Joel had his own production company. He could just make it himself, which he did. He said that Clint thought it was “too grim” for him.”
—Fred Dekker, Writer
Fred Dekker’s script was ultimately rejected by Clint Eastwood, who reportedly found the material too bleak for his character. Dekker later attempted to attach Kurt Russell to the lead role before the project transitioned to Denzel Washington, who redefined the lead character as Nick Styles instead of Harry Callahan.
Comparing Ricochet to the Dirty Harry Franchise
The Dirty Harry series, directed across several films by various directors including Don Siegel, Ted Post, and Clint Eastwood himself, established a particular brand of gritty cop action, with each movie performing well at the box office. Notable entries include the original 1971 Dirty Harry directed by Don Siegel, which earned around $36 million, and 1983’s Sudden Impact, directed by Eastwood, which grossed approximately $67.6 million.
Ricochet shares some thematic similarities with Dirty Harry, especially in its portrayal of law enforcement officers confronting relentless criminals. However, Nick Styles is a stark contrast to Harry Callahan’s hard-edged persona. The more psychologically nuanced and emotionally layered character Washington plays arguably would not fit the traditional, rigid profile of Eastwood’s iconic cop role.
If Ricochet had remained a Dirty Harry film, it likely would have drawn more immediate attention due to the franchise’s established fanbase. Still, Washington’s interpretation and the film’s psychological thriller elements made it distinctive in its own right, contributing to its reputation as a neglected yet impressive thriller.
The Film’s Place in Washington’s Career and Its Lasting Impact
Ricochet came at a time when Washington was solidifying his status as one of Hollywood’s top actors, capable of balancing intense dramatic parts with action-oriented roles. The film highlights his ability to bring intensity and complexity to characters that require both emotional depth and physicality.
While typically overshadowed by some of Washington’s more prominent projects, Ricochet remains a compelling example of the actor’s range and skill. It also demonstrates an intriguing “what if” scenario, imagining how the film might have played out differently as part of a Dirty Harry sequel.
The film’s exploration of vengeance, psychological manipulation, and resilience through Washington’s performance continues to resonate, encouraging new viewers to reassess Ricochet as a notable entry in 1990s thrillers. With Washington’s career trajectory showing increased focus on layered, challenging roles, Ricochet’s status as an underrated thriller invites rediscovery as one of his early standout performances.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is Denzel Washington so loved?
A. Washington is admired for his acting skills, but his importance goes beyond that. He stands as a symbol of Black success in Hollywood, a place where such representation is rare. Because of this, Washington’s legacy will be honored and remembered for many years.
Q. What health issues does Denzel Washington have?
A. During a Saturday chat on The New York Times’ podcast “The Interview,” the 70-year-old actor shared he is healing from a serious injury. “A few months ago, I accidentally bit off about half of my tongue,” Washington stated. He added, “This affects how I talk and makes me speak more slowly.”
