Ambitious rookie LAPD officer Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke) is undergoing a gruelling one-day evaluation to join an elite undercover narcotics squad. His evaluator is Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington), a highly decorated, charismatic, but deeply unprincipled veteran detective.
As they navigate the gang-ridden neighbourhoods of South Central Los Angeles, Jake’s idealism clashes heavily with Alonzo’s predatory, law-bending methods.
What begins as a masterclass in street survival quickly devolves into a moral nightmare.
Jake soon discovers that Alonzo is not only profoundly corrupt but has actively set him up as a pawn to cover a massive gambling debt owed to the Russian mafia.
To capture authentic urban tension, director Antoine Fuqua filmed on location in legendary LA neighbourhoods like Baldwin Village and the Imperial Courts housing projects. The production even secured permission from local gang leaders to shoot in these areas, casting real gang members as extras.
A 2017 single-season CBS television spin-off of Training Day was set 15 years after the events of the movie and took place within the same cinematic universe.
Alonzo Harris
Denzel Washington Jake Hoyt
Ethan Hawke Roger
Scott Glenn Stan Gursky
Tom Berenger Doug Rosselli
Harris Yulin Lou Jacobs
Raymond J. Barry Smiley
Cliff Curtis Paul
Dr Dre Blue
Snoop Dogg Sandman’s Wife
Macy Gray Lisa
Charlotte Ayanna Sara
Eva Mendes Tim
Nick Chinlund Mark
Jaime Gomez Moreno
Noel Gugliemi Letty
Samantha Esteban Alonzo’s Son
Kyjel N. Jolly Veterano
Robert Leon PeeWee
Rudy Perez Bone
Cle Sloan Neto
Abel Soto Dimitri
Denzel Whitaker
Director
Antoine Fuqua
Video
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As they navigate the gang-ridden neighbourhoods of South Central Los Angeles, Jake’s idealism clashes heavily with Alonzo’s predatory, law-bending methods.
What begins as a masterclass in street survival quickly devolves into a moral nightmare.
