Death Wish (2018 film)

Death Wish is a 2018 American vigilante action thriller film directed by Eli Roth and written by Joe Carnahan. It is a remake of the 1974 film of the same name (which originated the Death Wish franchise), based on Brian Garfield's 1972 novel. The film stars Bruce Willis as Paul Kersey, a Chicago doctor who sets out to get revenge on the men who attacked his family. Vincent D'Onofrio, Elisabeth Shue, Dean Norris, and Kimberly Elise also star.

Death Wish
Theatrical release poster
Directed byEli Roth
Produced byRoger Birnbaum
Screenplay byJoe Carnahan
Based on
Starring
Music byLudwig Göransson
CinematographyRogier Stoffers
Edited byMark Goldblatt
Production
companies
  • Cave 76 Productions[1]
  • MGM Studios[1]
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer (USA)[2]
Annapurna Pictures (international)[3]
Release date
  • March 2, 2018 (2018-03-02)
Running time
107 minutes[4]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$30 million[4]
Box office$49.6 million[5][4]

The film was released in the United States by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and in international markets by Annapurna Pictures on March 2, 2018. It was the first film released by MGM through their joint distribution venture with Annapurna (later rebranded as United Artists Releasing). It received generally negative reviews from film critics, but the reception among general audiences was more positive.

Plot

Paul Kersey (Bruce Willis), a Chicago trauma surgeon, lives with his wife, Lucy (Elisabeth Shue), and daughter, Jordan (Camila Morrone). When the family visits a restaurant with Paul's brother Frank (Vincent D'Onofrio), a valet named Miguel photographs their home address from their car's navigation software after hearing about a night they plan to be away from home. However, Paul is called to work that night, and Jordan and Lucy are home when the burglars arrive. The ensuing struggle leaves Lucy dead and Jordan in a coma; one of the burglars is scarred when Lucy and Jordan fight back.

Paul becomes frustrated with the lack of police progress on the case, led by Detectives Kevin Raines (Dean Norris) and Leonore Jackson (Kimberly Elise). After seeing two men harassing a woman, Paul tries to intervene but is beaten up. He visits a gun store, but changes his mind when he learns that a legally purchased weapon can be traced back to him. When a gang member is brought to the hospital and his Glock 17 falls off the gurney, Paul kicks it under the bed, then secretly takes it and practices shooting. He uses the gun to stop a carjacking, a video of which goes viral. During the effort, he cuts his left hand due to improperly handling the gun.

Enjoying his efforts as a vigilante, Paul decides to kill a drug dealer calling himself "the Ice Cream Man" after a young boy comes to the hospital with a gunshot wound in his leg. Paul calmly walks up to the dealer, referring to himself as "his last customer," and murders him in cold blood.

At the hospital, Paul recognizes a critically injured Miguel, wearing Paul's watch stolen during the home invasion. Miguel dies and Paul takes his phone, leading him to a liquor store that fences stolen goods. The owner, Ponytail, recognizes Paul and messages one of the burglars, Fish (Jack Kesy), before Paul demands his family's belongings back at gunpoint. Fish arrives and accidentally kills Ponytail; Fish claims the burglary was done by a mechanic named Joe (Ronnie Gene Blevins) before Paul kills him.

The detectives visit Paul with his stolen ring, recovered at the liquor store. Assured that the ring's discovery will lead police to the perpetrators, Paul destroys their phones to cover his tracks. Finding Joe at his auto body shop (and recognizing his facial scars from the night of the burglary), Paul tortures him, cutting his sciatic nerve with a scalpel and pouring brake fluid into the wound. Joe divulges that the third burglar Knox (Beau Knapp) shot Lucy, and Paul crushes Joe's head with the car.

Knox calls Paul, arranging to meet in a nightclub bathroom, where they wound each other. Paul gets away while Knox arrives at the hospital, posing as a bystander and giving the detectives a description of Paul. Arriving home, Paul is confronted by Frank, who was questioned by the detectives (they were looking for a left-handed individual and saw him batting left-handed at a batting cage) and realized Paul is taking his revenge. During the intervention, the hospital calls to tell Paul that Jordan has regained consciousness. Paul simply tells Frank, "it's over."

A week later, Paul leaves the hospital with Jordan and encounters Knox in the elevator. Unnerved by the encounter, Paul returns to the gun store to legally purchase weapons to defend his family. Days later, Knox and two accomplices invade Paul's home at night. Paul glimpses a man running across the lawn and hides Jordan, who calls the police. After killing the accomplices, Paul is ambushed in the basement by Knox, but retrieves an M4 carbine assault rifle from a hidden compartment under a coffee table and shoots Knox dead. The police arrive and Raines accepts Paul's story, subtly suggesting that Paul end his vigilantism.

Months later, Paul drops off Jordan at NYU. He spots a man stealing a bag from a bellhop, calls out to him, and points at him with a finger gun.

Cast

Production

Development

Development of the film began in 2006, when Sylvester Stallone announced that he would be directing and starring in a remake of Death Wish (1974). Stallone told Ain't It Cool News, "Instead of the Charles Bronson character being an architect, my version would have him as a very good cop who had incredible success without ever using his gun. So when the attack on his family happens, he's really thrown into a moral dilemma in proceeding to carry out his revenge." He later told the publication that he was no longer involved.[6][7] In a 2009 interview with MTV, though, Stallone stated that he was again considering the project.[8]

In late January 2012, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that a remake would be written and directed by Joe Carnahan.[9] The film was originally set to star Liam Neeson and Frank Grillo. Carnahan left the project in February 2013 due to creative differences,[10] but received sole writing credit for the completed film.[11] He was replaced as director with Gerardo Naranjo, who was interested in casting Benicio Del Toro in the lead role; this version also never came to fruition.[10]

In March 2016, Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer announced that Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado would direct with Bruce Willis starring.[12] Willis was chosen from a shortlist which included Russell Crowe, Matt Damon, Will Smith, and Brad Pitt. In May, Keshales and Papushado quit the project after MGM declined to allow them to rewrite Joe Carnahan's original script, which had been approved by Willis.[13] In June, Eli Roth signed on to direct, with the script being rewritten by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski.[14] On August 25, 2016, Vincent D'Onofrio was cast alongside Bruce Willis to play Paul Kersey's brother, Breaking Bad actor Dean Norris also joined Willis in the film.[15] On October 7, 2016, Kimberly Elise and Camila Morrone were cast in the film to play Detective Jackson and Jordan Kersey.[16] Later on October 17, 2016, Ronnie Gene Blevins was cast in the film.[17]

Filming

Principal photography on the film began in late September 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.[18] Later in October 2016, it began filming in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Release

In June 2017, it was announced Annapurna Pictures would distribute the film on behalf of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and release it on November 22, 2017.[19] However, in October 2017, it was announced it was being delayed until March 2, 2018 and that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer would handle the film's distribution in the United States, while Annapurna Pictures handle its international distribution.[20] It was speculated the delay was due in-part to the mass shooting in Las Vegas several days prior.[21] Death Wish was released theatrically in the United Kingdom on April 6 by Vertigo Releasing. It became available on DVD and Blu-ray on June 5, 2018. and is the only MGM made Mirror title to be released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Reception

Box office

As of July 5, 2018, Death Wish has grossed $34 million in the United States and Canada, and $14.5 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $48.5 million, against a production budget of $30 million.[4]

In the United States and Canada, Death Wish was released alongside Red Sparrow, and was projected to gross $10–20 million from 2,847 theaters in its opening weekend.[22] It made $4.2 million on its first day (including $650,000 from Thursday night previews) and $13 million in its opening weekend, finishing third behind Black Panther ($66.7 million in its third week) and Red Sparrow ($17 million). 55% of its audience was male, while 89% was over the age of 25.[23] It dropped 49% to $6.6 million in its second weekend, finishing at 7th.[24]

Critical response
I wanted to really make it about family, and stick to the central issue of what would you do if this happened to your family. The movie for me really is about family and protecting your family and what do you do when you can't get justice for your family? It's not pro-gun. What I really try to do more than anything is show it how it really is, and leave it for the audience to decide.

—Eli Roth on the reception of Death Wish[25]

On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 18% based on 155 reviews and an average rating of 3.88/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Death Wish is little more than a rote retelling that lacks the grit and conviction of the original—and also suffers from spectacularly bad timing."[26] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 31 out of 100, based on 32 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[27] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.[23]

The Chicago Sun-Times's Richard Roeper gave the film 2 out of 4 stars, writing, "Even with the social commentary, Death Wish isn't trying to be some intense, gritty, ripped-from-the-headlines docudrama ... A number of gruesome scenes are staged like something out of one of those Final Destination movies, with a bowling ball, a dart, a wrench and other conveniently handy items used as weapons of singular destruction. It's essentially revenge porn."[28] Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune gave the film 1 out of 4 stars and said, "For a while, director Roth plays this stuff relatively straight, and Willis periodically reminds us he can act (the grieving Kersey cries a fair bit here). The script contains a reference to AR-15 rifles; by the end, Willis goes full Willis when his adversaries return to the sanctity of the family home."[21]

Many critics noted the timing of the film's release, coming less than three weeks after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida[29] alongside the positive portrayal of American gun culture.[30] Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times called the film "imbecilic", and criticized its jokey tone and "morally unconflicted" approach to its subject matter.[31] Similarly, The Guardian's Amy Nicholson criticized the film for "[flatlining] the politics and [saturating] the pathos", and for insulting both sides of the gun control argument.[32] The Hollywood Reporter's John DeFore noted that the film does not attempt to "use genre metaphors to address real national debates", making the original film "look philosophical by comparison", and he also noted the improbable and contrived nature of Kersey's mission.[33] Writing for the Los Angeles Times, Justin Chang called the film "a slick, straightforward revenge thriller as well as a sham provocation, pandering shamelessly to the viewer's bloodlust while trying to pass as self-aware satire". Chang compared the film unfavorably to the 2007 Death Sentence, citing the lack of consequences that Kersey faces.[34]

Some reviewers stood in defense of the film. Peter Howell of the Toronto Star stated that "Roth and Carnahan do an OK job updating Death Wish", and that the film accurately depicts the "casual way that Americans acquire and use guns". He felt, though, that Liam Neeson would have been a better choice for the lead role.[35] Matthew Rozsa of Salon agreed that the film's release was timed poorly, but argued that "mass shootings have been ubiquitous for so long that I doubt there ever would have been an appropriate release date for a vigilante fantasy. ... It exists everywhere in our culture, from movies and video games to the right-wing talking points that regularly thwart gun control legislation." Rosza considers Death Wish his guilty pleasure, recommending it as a "success" as well as "a competent popcorn muncher that moves at a brisk pace, is about as engaging as your average Law and Order episode and contains an appropriately glowering (if somewhat bored looking) Bruce Willis."[29] The San Francisco Chronicle's Mick Lasalle called it "way better than all the Death Wish sequels" and "easily the second best Death Wish movie ever made, and not a distant second."[36]

Accolades

February 23, 2019

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References
  1. "Filmed in Quebec". The Quebec Film and Television Council. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  2. McNary, Dave (October 31, 2017). "MGM, Annapurna Form U.S. Distribution Partnership". Variety. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  3. D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 8, 2017). "Annapurna To Release MGM's 'Death Wish' Over Thanksgiving; Sets October Date For 'Professor Marston & The Wonder Women'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  4. "Death Wish (2018) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  5. "Death Wish (2018)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  6. Morris, Clint (June 8, 2008). "Stallone in Death Wish remake? Updated!". Moviehole. Archived from the original on July 3, 2007. Retrieved December 20, 2006. Upon listening to the talkback responses on AICN, many who turned their nose at the idea of a remake, Stallone tells the site today that he will NOT be doing the movie. Yep, he listened to the fans!
  7. Staff and agencies (November 5, 2007). "Stallone tapped for Death Wish remake". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved November 5, 2007.
  8. Rosenberg, Adam (October 2, 2009). "Sylvester Stallone Speaks on a 'Death Wish' Remake and Edgar Allen Poe". MTV News. MTV. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  9. Gilchrist, Todd (January 31, 2012). "'The Grey' Director Joe Carnahan to Remake 'Death Wish'". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  10. Bentancor, Nestor. "Exclusive Benicio Del Toro Rejected to Star in Death Wish Remake 1". Desde Hollywood. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  11. Sprague, Mike (February 20, 2018). "Bruce is Back in Bitchin' New Retro Poster for Eli Roth's Death Wish Remake". Dread Central. Dread Central Media. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
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  13. Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 4, 2016). "'Big Bad Wolves' Helmers Aharon Keshales & Navot Papushado Exit Bruce Willis 'Death Wish' Remake". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  14. Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 20, 2016). "Eli Roth To Direct Bruce Willis In 'Death Wish' Remake". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  15. Busch, Anita; Fleming, Mike Jr. (August 25, 2016). "Vincent D'Onofrio Joins Bruce Willis In Eli Roth-Helmed 'Death Wish'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media.
  16. N'Duka, Amanda (October 7, 2016). "Eli Roth's 'Death Wish' Adds Kimberly Elise and Camilla Morrone". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  17. N'Duka, Amanda (October 18, 2016). "Thriller 'D.O.A. Blood River' Sets Cast; Ronnie Gene Blevins Joins 'Death Wish'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  18. Metz, Nina (September 26, 2016). "Bruce Willis shooting 'Death Wish' remake in Chicago this week". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  19. D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 8, 2017). "Annapurna To Release MGM's 'Death Wish' Over Thanksgiving; Sets October Date For 'Professor Marston & The Wonder Women'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  20. D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 5, 2017). "Eli Roth 'Death Wish' Reboot Springs To March". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  21. Philips, Michael (March 1, 2018). "'Death Wish': Bruce Willis makes Chicago bleed all over the place". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  22. McNary, Dave (February 20, 2018). "Will 'Black Panther' See One of the Best Second Weekends Ever?". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  23. D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 4, 2018). "'Black Panther' Busts Past Half Billion; 'Red Sparrow' Flies Low With $17M – Sunday AM B.O. Update". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  24. D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 11, 2018). "'Black Panther' Rules 4th Frame With $41M+; 'A Wrinkle In Time' At $33M+: A Diversity & Disney Dominant Weekend". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  25. Schwartz, Dana (March 5, 2018). "Death Wish director Eli Roth responds to critics of controversial remake". Entertainment Weekly. Time. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
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  27. "Death Wish Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
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  29. Rosza, Matthew (March 3, 2018). "Is the "Death Wish" remake as disgustingly right-wing as the original series?". Salon. Salon Media Group. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  30. 'If the NRA made film': Bruce Willis's Death Wish remake is a badly timed misfire, say US critics
  31. Catsoulis, Jeannette (March 1, 2018). "Review: Cleaning Up Chicago in 'Death Wish'". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  32. Nicholson, Amy (March 1, 2018). "Death Wish review – Bruce Willis stacks up corpses in gutless remake". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  33. DeFore, John (March 1, 2018). "'Death Wish': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  34. Chang, Justin (March 1, 2018). "Bruce Willis takes aim and misfires in an imbecilic 'Death Wish' remake". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  35. Howell, Peter (March 1, 2018). "Death Wish decent, despite reloading with Bruce Willis". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  36. Lasalle, Mick (March 1, 2018). "'Death Wish' updated with more guns, cell phones and revenge". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  37. 39th Razzie Nominations!. YouTube: Razzie Channel.
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