19 Years Later, Kevin Bacon’s John Wick Replacement Resurfaces as a Streaming Hit

Wan’s Early Action Film

Before James Wan became known for action franchises including Furious 7 and the Aquaman films, his first action movie was Death Sentence, released in 2007. It arrived after Saw made him known as a horror director and before Insidious became another major success.

A Revenge Story With Consequences

Though its premise may recall Death Wish, Death Sentence is based on Brian Garfield’s novel of the same name, which was a sequel to Death Wish. The story draws on themes of violence and the moral decline of a good person pursuing revenge.

Nick does not immediately embrace violence after his first encounter. He gets blood on his hands but finds no relief, and later becomes entangled again when the gang discovers his identity and comes after him.

Bacon’s Gradual Transformation

Bacon plays Nick as a grieving father who is pulled toward violence rather than as someone who abruptly changes course. Much of the action that follows comes as Nick tries to defend himself or escape, helping preserve sympathy for the character.

The film gives Bacon room to occupy a space between a charming hero and a frightening villain. Nick’s choices grow out of his family’s loss and the danger that follows his attempt to seek revenge.

Wan’s Gritty Action Style

Death Sentence uses violence in a style closer to an ’80s action movie than to disturbing horror. Wan emphasizes the spectacle of action, while the film’s gritty look becomes especially apparent in the seedier settings away from Nick’s home and office.

It was the last film Wan shot on 35mm and includes one of his early continuous takes, following Nick as he evades the gang in a parking structure. The film’s action approach differs from the horror work for which Wan first became known.