Death Wish II

Death Wish II

Year: 1982

Runtime: 88 min

Language: English

Director: Michael Winner

ActionDramaThrillerCrime

Seeking a new life in Los Angeles with his daughter, Paul Kersey finds himself once again confronting urban violence. When his home is attacked and his daughter is victimized, Kersey's sense of justice is reawakened, and he embarks on a violent quest to punish those who prey on the innocent. This time, the streets of L.A. become the backdrop for his relentless pursuit of retribution.

Death Wish II (1982) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Death Wish II (1982) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the sprawling, sun‑burned expanse of Los Angeles, a city that glitters with promise yet teems with an undercurrent of restless violence, the streets pulse with a restless energy that never quite settles. The film opens with a sweeping view of the metropolis, hinting at both its dazzling allure and the shadows that linger in its back alleys. Within this restless urban tapestry, a quiet yearning for a fresh start takes root.

Paul Kersey arrives with his young daughter, hoping the West Coast’s bright horizon might finally let him put the past behind him. He builds a modest life, forming tentative bonds with Geri Nichols, a tenacious reporter, and Rosario, a diligent housekeeper whose presence adds a sense of domestic normalcy. Their interactions are marked by a mixture of hope and guarded optimism, each character navigating the delicate balance between personal ambition and the city’s relentless grind.

Yet the fragile peace is shattered when a sudden, violent intrusion invades their home, and the safety of his daughter is violently compromised. The assault awakens a dormant resolve within Paul—a moral compass that had lain dormant since his earlier crusade. The city’s unforgiving streets, once merely a backdrop, now become a stage for a personal reckoning. As the night settles over Los Angeles, the film adopts a gritty, taut tone, emphasizing the thin line between law and vengeance, and the simmering intensity of a man determined to protect what he loves by any means necessary.

The mood is unmistakably tense, bathed in neon shadows and the low hum of a city that never truly sleeps. Paul steps into a world where justice is measured not by courts but by an unrelenting personal code, leaving the audience to wonder how far he will go when the line between protector and avenger blurs beneath the relentless pulse of L.A.’s night.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:11

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Relentless Vigilante Justice Movies like Death Wish II

Ordinary individuals pushed to extremes, taking the law into their own hands.If you liked the brutal, personal crusade of Paul Kersey in Death Wish II, explore more movies about vigilante justice. These films feature protagonists pushed to the edge by crime and loss, embarking on violent quests for revenge in a morally gray world.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a straightforward arc: a brutal act of violence shatters the protagonist's life, leading them to question the effectiveness of the justice system. This doubt fuels a personal, often methodical, campaign of violence against the perpetrators, exploring themes of urban decay, grief, and the cost of taking the law into one's own hands.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a core focus on the vigilante archetype and the emotional journey from victim to aggressor. They consistently feature high-stakes personal trauma, fast-paced action centered on revenge, and a dark, cynical tone that questions societal order.

Bleak Urban Crime Thrillers Similar to Death Wish II

Gritty stories set against a backdrop of city decay and moral collapse.Fans of the grim Los Angeles setting and harsh atmosphere of Death Wish II will find similar movies here. These stories are set in decaying cities, featuring unflinching crime narratives, heavy emotional weight, and a pervasive sense of danger and moral ambiguity.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread are typically straightforward, propelled by a central crime or conflict that exposes the rot within the city and its institutions. Characters are often hardened or broken by their environment, leading to journeys of revenge, survival, or a bleak examination of human nature under pressure.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by their setting and atmosphere. They share a dark tone, a focus on crime and urban decay, a high level of intensity, and a generally heavy emotional weight. The feeling of a hostile, cynical world is a defining characteristic.

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Death Wish II Summary

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Death Wish II Summary

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Death Wish II Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Death Wish II

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Death Wish II

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