Death Wish
A mild-mannered father is transformed into a killing machine after his family is torn apart by a violent act.
Working with a moderate budget of $30.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $34.0M in global revenue (+13% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Death Wish (2018) demonstrates precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Eli Roth's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dr. Paul Kersey operates successfully on a gunshot victim in his Chicago ER, showcasing his skill as a surgeon saving lives. He's established, respected, living the American dream with his family.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Home invasion. Three masked men break into the Kersey home, shooting Lucy (who later dies) and leaving Jordan in a coma. Paul's entire world is shattered in minutes of brutal violence.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to A gun falls out of a patient's jacket during surgery. Paul takes it home instead of turning it in. This active choice to possess the weapon marks his decision to enter a new world of violence and vigilantism., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Jordan awakens from coma. False victory - Paul has his daughter back and his vigilante work seems to be succeeding. He's celebrated anonymously as a hero. Stakes raise as he's now emboldened but also more exposed., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 78 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Brother Frank is critically wounded by the home invaders who realize Paul is hunting them. The violence Paul embraced now threatens his remaining family. His vigilantism has consequences - his methods have put loved ones in danger., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Paul identifies the final home invader and gets his location. He chooses to finish what he started - synthesis of surgeon precision with vigilante justice. He won't stop until it's done. Full commitment to final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Death Wish's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Death Wish against these established plot points, we can identify how Eli Roth utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Death Wish within the action genre.
Eli Roth's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Eli Roth films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Death Wish takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Eli Roth filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Eli Roth analyses, see Borderlands, The House with a Clock in Its Walls and Knock Knock.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dr. Paul Kersey operates successfully on a gunshot victim in his Chicago ER, showcasing his skill as a surgeon saving lives. He's established, respected, living the American dream with his family.
Theme
Radio host debate about gun rights and self-defense plays in background. "What do you do when the system fails you?" The central thematic question is posed about justice versus vigilantism.
Worldbuilding
Paul's comfortable life established: successful surgeon, loving wife Lucy, college-bound daughter Jordan. Birthday party at upscale restaurant. Minor conflict when valet discusses Paul's address publicly. Family dynamics, professional success, upper-middle-class security shown.
Disruption
Home invasion. Three masked men break into the Kersey home, shooting Lucy (who later dies) and leaving Jordan in a coma. Paul's entire world is shattered in minutes of brutal violence.
Resistance
Paul struggles with grief and powerlessness. Police investigation stalls with no leads. Brother Frank offers support but can't help. Paul debates what to do, visiting Jordan in hospital. He witnesses ineffective police response to other crimes, growing frustrated with the system.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
A gun falls out of a patient's jacket during surgery. Paul takes it home instead of turning it in. This active choice to possess the weapon marks his decision to enter a new world of violence and vigilantism.
Mirror World
Paul connects with his father-in-law Ben and brother Frank in new ways, discussing protection and violence. Ben reveals Paul's father was violent. This subplot explores inherited violence and family legacy that mirrors Paul's transformation.
Premise
Paul becomes the "Grim Reaper" vigilante. First kill stopping a carjacking. Learns to shoot at gun range. Studies criminals online. Hunts down lowlifes across Chicago. Media attention grows. The "fun and games" of wish-fulfillment revenge fantasy as Paul explores his new identity.
Midpoint
Jordan awakens from coma. False victory - Paul has his daughter back and his vigilante work seems to be succeeding. He's celebrated anonymously as a hero. Stakes raise as he's now emboldened but also more exposed.
Opposition
Paul gets closer to finding his family's attackers through clues. Detective follows the vigilante trail, pressure increases. Brother Frank suspects Paul. Media scrutiny intensifies. Paul's double life becomes harder to maintain. The criminals realize someone is hunting them.
Collapse
Brother Frank is critically wounded by the home invaders who realize Paul is hunting them. The violence Paul embraced now threatens his remaining family. His vigilantism has consequences - his methods have put loved ones in danger.
Crisis
Paul operates on Frank, saving his life. Dark moment of reckoning with what he's become and the cost of vengeance. He must decide whether to continue or stop. Jordan and Frank could both be targets now.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Paul identifies the final home invader and gets his location. He chooses to finish what he started - synthesis of surgeon precision with vigilante justice. He won't stop until it's done. Full commitment to final confrontation.
Synthesis
Final confrontation at the criminals' garage. Paul systematically eliminates the home invaders using both tactical planning and surgical precision. Showdown with the ringleader. Vengeance completed. Police arrive after the fact.
Transformation
Paul with Jordan at home, helping her recover. The house alarm system re-armed. He touches his hidden gun, now a permanent part of who he is. No longer the naive surgeon who trusted the system - transformed into protector willing to use violence. Family preserved through force.