Death Wish is a 1974 American vigilante action-thriller film directed by Michael Winner. The film, loosely based on the 1972 novel of the same title by Brian Garfield and the first installment in the Death Wish film series, stars Charles Bronson as Paul Kersey, alongside Hope Lange, Vincent Gardenia, William Redfield, Kathleen Tolan, Christopher Guest and Jeff Goldblum in his film debut. In the film, Paul Kersey, an architect leading a peaceful life, resorts to vigilantism after his wife Joanna is murdered and daughter Carol Kersey Toby is raped during a home invasion. At the time of release, Death Wish was criticized for its apparent support of vigilantism and advocating unlimited punishment of criminals.