[3] Lustig came upon the idea for the film through a news article about "a group of blue collar workers in southern New Jersey who had organized to fight crime in their neighborhood".

Frederico "Rico" Melendez, who is the punk leader of a Puerto Rican street gang, is arrested for the crime.

After roughing up a small-time drug dealer and torturing his supplier, they are led to a high-ranking member of the Mayor's office.

After getting released from prison, Eddie joins the vigilante group in order to track down and kill Rico, Prago and Judge Sinclair.

[5] This was followed by a sneak preview in New York City on July 23, 1982 and a wide release in the United States on March 4, 1983.

[7] Dave Kehr of The New York Times wrote that Vigilante was "directed with classical, self-effacing skill".

Kehr identified influence from New York street realism and stated that the film was only possible in the period between the collapses of the Motion Picture Production Code and grindhouse theaters.

[9] Rodney Perkins of Twitch Film called it derivative of Death Wish but memorable for its cast and nihilistic tone.