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Action thriller

Death Wish (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Death Wish (2018) movie poster

Death Wish is a 2018 action thriller directed by Eli Roth, starring Bruce Willis as Paul Kersey, Vincent D'Onofrio and Elisabeth Shue. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $49.6 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. Critics gave it 17% on Rotten Tomatoes and 31 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
17%
worldwide gross
$49.6M
Echo Score
43
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Death Wish (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
Eli Roth
Genres
Action , Drama , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
Budget
$30M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Death Wish About?

The premise of Death Wish without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

When his family is brutally attacked, a grieving surgeon, Paul Kersey, is driven to take the law into his own hands in a crime-ridden city. Seeking justice outside the failing legal system, he embarks on a violent vendetta against those who prey on the innocent. His actions quickly gain media attention, transforming him into a vigilante figure. As he wages his one-man war, Paul struggles to maintain control and confronts the moral implications of his actions, blurring the lines between hero and criminal.

Death Wish Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • remake
  • attempted rape
  • vigilante
  • vigilantism
  • home invasion
  • woman in jeopardy
  • urban decay
  • finger gun
  • avenging wife's death
  • paul kersey character
  • detective
  • dark hero
+38 more
  • death of wife
  • nightclub
  • brother
  • one against many
  • self justice
  • self defense
  • murder investigation
  • one man army
  • vengeance
  • walking at night
  • taking out the trash
  • french kiss
  • street justice
  • anti hero
  • justice
  • righteous rage
  • protagonist becomes antagonist
  • two word title
  • surprise ending
  • physician
  • gun
  • father daughter relationship
  • police
  • criminal
  • husband mourns wife
  • robbery
  • blood splatter
  • street shootout
  • vendetta
  • gun store
  • wine shop
  • knife wound
  • crime fighter
  • shot to death
  • alley fight
  • murder caught on tape
  • shootout
  • elevator
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Cast & crew

Death Wish Cast & Characters

Bruce Willis leads the cast as Paul Kersey, with Vincent D'Onofrio as Frank Kersey and Elisabeth Shue as Lucy Kersey. Directed by Eli Roth; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Death Wish

· 8 more
From the director

More from Eli Roth

More films directed by Eli Roth, best-rated first: Grindhouse, Thanksgiving, The House with a Clock in Its Walls and Cabin Fever.

Full filmography
Ratings

Death Wish Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Death Wish 17% on Rotten Tomatoes and 31 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 43/100, strongest in sensory experience (55) and weakest in character & emotion (35).

43 /100

Death Wish Echo Score Breakdown

The remake struggles to deliver on style and depth, yielding a mixed viewing experience. Critics noted that the film's violent sequences lack thematic rationale and character development, while several users appreciated the brisk pacing and straightforward story. While the gore elements provide a visceral note, the consistent criticism of flat performances and simplistic plotting tempers enthusiasm. Overall, Death Wish emerges as an uneven vigilante thriller with limited lasting impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film offers functional suspense sequences but lacks distinctive cinematic flourishes. Critics described the tone as workmanlike and noted an absence of stylistic risk, while user feedback highlighted competent staging of violent scenes. Although the production design supports a gritty urban atmosphere, the overall presentation remains unremarkable. The film's art direction ultimately feels serviceable rather than striking.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When it comes to character depth and performances, the film leans heavily on Bruce Willis’s deadpan portrayal, which many critics and viewers found underwhelming. Reviews point to shallow emotional resonance and limited chemistry, despite occasional commendation for supporting cast members. The protagonist’s transformation into a vigilante is conveyed with minimal development, yielding few moments of genuine empathy. As a result, the character work feels perfunctory and lacks enduring emotional engagement.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of plot and pacing, the remake delivers a straightforward revenge narrative that some users found brisk yet predictable. Critics described the storyline as simplistic and plodding, citing missed opportunities for thematic depth and surprising twists. While the central premise maintains momentum and avoids outright boredom, the lack of narrative complexity limits engagement. Thus, the story framework sustains basic genre conventions but fails to offer substantial originality or cohesion.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    Regarding the sensory experience, the film’s violence and sound design generate a visceral impact that appeals to genre enthusiasts. Critics acknowledged the gruesome sequences as effective, even if lacking refinement, and users praised the neat death scenes and suspenseful moments. However, the visual style was often described as utilitarian with few standout cinematographic choices. Overall, the sensory elements satisfy expectations without elevating the material.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    On rewatch potential, the film’s straightforward thrills and occasional action set pieces offer moderate appeal for genre fans. Some viewers noted that brisk pacing and visceral scenes could warrant repeat viewings, while others found the lack of narrative depth and flat performances diminished replay value. Consequently, Death Wish presents modest rewatch appeal but is unlikely to sustain frequent revisits.

Plot

Death Wish Plot Summary

What happens in Death Wish from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Paul Kersey, portrayed by Bruce Willis, is a dedicated trauma surgeon residing in Chicago with his wife, Lucy, and their college-bound daughter, Jordan. Their lives take a tragic turn during a seemingly normal lunch when Paul’s brother, Frank, asks him for a loan to settle a debt, to which Paul reluctantly agrees. This seemingly small favor leads to dire consequences when a valet named Miguel, excited by the news of Paul’s financial support, deceitfully photographs the family’s address.

Full summary

The whole story of Death Wish, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Death Wish Box Office & Budget

Death Wish grossed $49.6 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, 1.7 times what it cost. $34 million came from the US and Canada and $15.5 million (31%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$49.6M

1.7× its budget

US & Canada
$34M
International
$15.5M
Budget
$30M
US & Canada 69% Rest of the world 31%
Videos

Death Wish Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 2 clips and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 6 videos
Death Wish | Official Trailer 🎥🎞 | MGM
  • Trailer Death Wish | Official Trailer #2 🎥🎞 | MGM
  • Teaser Death Wish | "Justice" TV Commercial | MGM
  • Clip Death Wish | "Dial 911" Clip | MGM
  • Clip Death Wish | "Home Invasion" Clip | MGM
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Death Wish?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Paul Kersey's profession?

Cars

Cars in Death Wish

63 cars on screen, including the 2016 BMW 750i G12 and the 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

All 63 cars
  • 2016 BMW 750i G12 in Death Wish 2016 BMW 750i G12 Important role
  • 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in Death Wish 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Minor role
  • 1969 Dodge Monaco in Death Wish 1969 Dodge Monaco Minor role
  • 1982 Ford Bronco in Death Wish 1982 Ford Bronco Minor role
Details

Death Wish Also Known As

32 alternative titles, including “Desejo de Matar 6” and “Doodsdrift”.

Also known as
  • Desejo de Matar 6
  • Doodsdrift
  • 虎胆追凶
  • 猛龙怪客
  • Лично правосъдие
  • El justiciero
  • En mand ser rødt
  • Bosszúvágy
  • משאלת מוות
  • Desejo de Matar
  • Życzenie Śmierci
  • Жажда смерти
+20 more
  • Il giustiziere della notte - Death Wish
  • Öldürme Arzusu
  • 데스 위시
  • 猛龍怪客
  • Жага смерті
  • Přání smrti
  • Death Wish: A Vingança
  • Prianie smrti
  • Последња жеља
  • Un justicier dans la ville
  • Želja po maščevanju
  • Death wish - Razbunarea
  • Deseo de matar
  • Mirties troškimas
  • Osvetnik
  • 虎膽追兇
  • นักฆ่าโคตรอึด
  • デス・ウィッシュ
  • Thần Chết
  • El justicier, სიკვდილის სურვილი

Seen Death Wish?

FAQ

Death Wish FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Death Wish, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Death Wish?

Death Wish runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was Death Wish released?

Death Wish was released on March 2, 2018.

Who directed Death Wish?

Death Wish was directed by Eli Roth.

More films by Eli Roth

Who is in the cast of Death Wish?

Death Wish stars Bruce Willis as Paul Kersey, Vincent D'Onofrio as Frank Kersey and Elisabeth Shue as Lucy Kersey, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Death Wish make at the box office?

Death Wish grossed $49.6 million worldwide ($34 million domestic, $15.5 million international) on a budget of $30 million.

How is Death Wish rated?

Death Wish has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 17% on Rotten Tomatoes, 31 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does Death Wish have a post-credit scene?

No. Death Wish has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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