Death Wish Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A doctor gets mad his family got hurt, so he decides to fix crime with a scalpel and questionable decisions.

🍿 Death Wish: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction of Dr. Paul Kersey

Dr. Paul Kersey (Bruce Willis) is a trauma surgeon in Chicago, a city grappling with a high crime rate. He witnesses the effects of violence daily in the ER, struggling to save lives, sometimes even those of criminals. He lives a comfortable life with his wife Lucy and daughter Jordan, who is preparing for college.

The Home Invasion

Tragedy strikes when Paul is called into work on what was supposed to be a family birthday dinner. While he’s away, Lucy and Jordan are brutally attacked during a home invasion. Lucy is killed, and Jordan is left in a coma. Frustrated by the slow progress of the police investigation, Paul feels a burning desire for revenge.

The Vigilante Emerges

Fueled by grief and a sense of helplessness, Paul begins taking matters into his own hands. He acquires a gun and starts patrolling the streets, intervening in crimes and delivering his own brand of justice. The media dubs him the ‘Grim Reaper,’ sparking a city-wide debate about vigilantism.

Hunting the Culprits

Paul starts piecing together clues to find the men responsible for the attack on his family. His investigation leads him through the city’s underbelly, encountering various criminals and using increasingly violent methods to extract information. Each encounter brings him closer to the truth, but also deeper into a moral abyss.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Paul Kersey (Bruce Willis): A trauma surgeon who becomes a vigilante after his wife is murdered and his daughter is attacked during a home invasion.
• Knox (Beau Knapp): The ruthless leader of the home invaders who is responsible for Lucy’s death and Jordan’s injuries.
• Lucy Kersey (Elisabeth Shue): Paul’s wife, whose murder during a home invasion sets off Paul’s quest for revenge.
• Jordan Kersey (Camila Morrone): Paul’s daughter, who is left in a coma after the home invasion, further motivating Paul’s actions.
• Frank Kersey (Vincent D’Onofrio): Paul’s brother, who is dealing with his own problems while trying to support Paul during the aftermath.
• Detective Kevin Raines (Dean Norris): The detective investigating the vigilante killings, who suspects Paul’s involvement but ultimately covers for him.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Punk Leader: “Who are you?” – A defiant criminal confronting Paul Kersey before realizing the danger he is in.
• Paul Kersey: “Your last customer.” – Paul’s terse response right before he shoots the punk leader, marking his transformation into a vigilante.
• Ben: “Police come after the crime has been committed. You want to protect what belongs to you, a man has to do it himself.” – Paul’s father-in-law expressing his opinion after the authorities are unable to solve the crime, pushing him towards vigilantism.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $34,017,028
• Worldwide Gross: $49,562,710

💥 Death Wish Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went in expecting a mindless action flick, and I kind of got it. Bruce Willis is… Bruce Willis. There are some moments that are so over-the-top, they’re almost funny. I felt so bad for his family. I think the best part was when he was figuring out how to use a gun by watching YouTube! Overall, it was entertaining, but not exactly thought-provoking.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of action-thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in vigilante stories”
  • “Bruce Willis fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Gun violence”
  • “Home invasion”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “This Death Wish remake is a hollow shell of the original, swapping social commentary for shallow thrills and failing to justify its existence.
• RogerEbert.com: “While it offers a few moments of visceral satisfaction, Death Wish ultimately feels tonally confused and lacks the depth needed to explore its complex themes effectively. The movie is a remake that adds very little to the original.
• IGN: “Bruce Willis sleepwalks through the role of Paul Kersey, and the movie fails to provide any meaningful commentary on vigilantism, relying instead on tired tropes and predictable action sequences, lacking the moral complexity of the original.

Audience Reactions

Some viewers enjoyed the old-school action vibe and Bruce Willis’ performance.: Fans of classic action movies appreciated the straightforward revenge plot and Willis’ return to the genre.

Many praised the film for avoiding political correctness.: Some reviewers found the movie entertaining and refreshing, appreciating its lack of ‘woke’ elements and focus on action.

Overall Consensus: While some appreciate it as a throwback action film, most critics found Death Wish lacking in depth and originality.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is a remake of the 1974 film of the same name, starring Charles Bronson.”
• “Several directors and actors were considered for the project over the years, including Sylvester Stallone and Liam Neeson.”
• “Eli Roth spent time with Chicago detectives to ensure the accuracy of the police procedural details.”

🖥️ How to Watch Death Wish?

Death Wish (2018) is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Death Wish, you might like these similar films:

• Death Wish (1974): The original vigilante film that this movie is based on, exploring similar themes of revenge and justice.
• Man on Fire (2004): Features a man seeking violent revenge after a child he was protecting is kidnapped.
• The Equalizer (2014): A seemingly ordinary man with a hidden past uses his skills to protect the innocent and punish the guilty.
• Law Abiding Citizen (2009): A man takes justice into his own hands after the legal system fails him, leading to a complex and brutal series of events.

🛒 Death Wish Related Products

• Death Wish (1974) [Blu-ray]: Own the original Charles Bronson classic on Blu-ray. Experience the raw and gritty thriller that started it all. A must-have for any fan of the Death Wish franchise.
• Gun Cleaning Kit Universal Hand Gun Cleaning Kit for All Pistols – Comes with Handgun Cleaning Brush: Complete pistol cleaning kit with brushes, jags, mops, patch holders, patches, and universal handle. Great for cleaning your hand guns and maintaining their optimal performance.
• Krav Maga for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to the World’s Easiest-to-Learn Self Defense System: A comprehensive guide that takes beginners from the absolute basics through intermediate techniques. Perfect for enhancing self-defense skills.
• Die Hard (30th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]: Celebrate 30 years of action history with this ultimate edition Blu-ray. Experience the film that defined the genre, with bonus content and remastered quality.

🎧 Soundtrack

Death Wish features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Don’t Worry Baby” – performed by The Beach Boys

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Death Wish (2018) – Let Me Explain

Ever wondered what the deal was with the Death Wish remake? This video breaks it down! Personally, I think it’s a fun watch if you’re into action, give it a shot!

Rageaholic Cinema: DEATH WISH

If you’re looking for a brutally honest, and maybe a bit angry, take on Death Wish, this is it! It’s hilarious and kinda makes you rethink the whole ‘vigilante justice’ thing.

✨ Rate