Death Becomes Her (1992)
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43% of critics liked it
(21 reviews) -
58% of users liked it
(155,820 ratings)
High-concept director Robert Zemeckis applies his usual polish -- helped by an equally adept cast -- for this surprisingly gruesome and extremely funny black comedy. The film begins with narcissistic actress Madeline (Meryl Streep) stealing the latest in a series of potential fiancées, wimpy plastic… More High-concept director Robert Zemeckis applies his usual polish -- helped by an equally adept cast -- for this surprisingly gruesome and extremely funny black comedy. The film begins with narcissistic actress Madeline (Meryl Streep) stealing the latest in a series of potential fiancées, wimpy plastic surgeon Ernest (Bruce Willis), from her ex-best friend Helen (Goldie Hawn). Depressed and infuriated, Helen suffers a breakdown that lands her in a mental hospital -- in addition to a junk-food bender that seems to triple her weight. When Madeline crosses paths with Helen again many years later, she is horrified to discover her once-chunky rival looking younger, slimmer and more glamorous than ever before. Fearing that Helen will try to steal Ernest back -- and dreading the thought of not having a plastic surgeon at her beck and call -- Madeline solicits the supernatural services of an exotic New Age mystic (Isabella Rossellini), who sells her a potent youth elixir with the stipulation that she follow the dosage instructions to the letter... yeah, right. It appears that Helen owes her sexy comeback to the same magic formula, and the inevitable violent clash between the two well-dressed banshees leads to the realization that both women have become nearly impervious zombies, clawing at each other's throats long after the blood has run cold in their veins. Best remembered for Dick Smith's Oscar-winning makeup effects, which allow the rapidly-rotting undead femmes to toss off witty one-liners with ragged holes blasted through their bodies or spin their heads Exorcist-style. Not all the sight gags work, and Zemeckis' lighthearted treatment of such grotesque material tends to dull the satirical edge, but there are some truly inspired moments of dementia -- particularly a hilarious cameo from Sydney Pollack as a doctor who comes unglued while examining Streep (who has yet to realize she's dead). ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert Zemeckis
- Written By
- Martin Donovan
- Genres
- Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jul 31, 1992 Wide
- On DVD
- Jan 20, 1998
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
Highly amusing, but there's nothing to the feature beyond cheap thrills and a few laughs.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
In this darker than dark comedy, the actors (Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn) are used as props, part of Bob Zemeckis' nasty, effects-driven satire of our obsession with youth and physical looks.
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Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
manic and crazed, but well-done
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Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Stunningly inventive madness.
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Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
Some neat ideas in this flick, all of them way overplayed.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Meryl Streep
as Madeline Ashton
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Bruce Willis
as Ernest Menville
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Goldie Hawn
as Helen Sharp
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Isabella Rossellini
as Lisle Von Rhumans
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Ian Ogilvy
as Chagall
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Adam Storke
as Dakota
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Nancy Fish
as Rose
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Alaina Reed Hall
as Psychologist
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Michelle Johnson
as Anna
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Mary Ellen Trainor
as Vivian Adams
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William Frankfather
as Mr. Franklin
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John Ingle
as Eulogist
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Jeff Adkins
as Dancer
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Stephanie Anderson
as Marilyn Monroe
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Cheryl Baxter
as Dancer
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Joel Beeson
as Lisle's Body Guard
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Dave Brock
as Jim Morrison
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Petrea Burchard
as Opening Woman
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Bonnie Cahoon
as Greta Garbo
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Kevin Caldwell
as Medical Technician
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Eric Clark
as James Dean
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Phillip Cooper
as Coroner
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Randy Crenshaw
as Singer
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Mark Davenport
as Eviction Cop
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Donna Ekholdt
as Sobbing Nun
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Cameron English
as Dancer
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John Enos III
as Lisle's Body Guard
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Fabio
as Lisle's Body Guard
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Tammy Gantz
as Sobbing Nun
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Bob Gaynor
as Dancer
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Ernest Harada
as Coroner
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Alex P. Hernandez
as Medical Technician
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Don Hesser
as Dancer
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Sonia Jackson
as Psychiatric Patient
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Jim Jansen
as Second Man
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Jon Joyce
as Singer
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Mimi Kennedy
as Second Woman
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Jill C. Klein
as Psychiatric Patient
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Kenneth Knaff
as Dancer
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Jacquelyn K. Koch
as Messenger Girl
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Glean Lewis
as Dancer
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Anya Longwell
as Chagall Receptionist
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Stuart Mabray
as Chagall Security
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Melissa Martin
as Sobbing Nun
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Keith Henry McDaniel
as Dancer
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Charles McGowan
as Dancer
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Colleen Morris
as Starlet
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Michael A. Nickles
as Lisle's Body Guard
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Regan Patno
as Dancer
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Lydia Peterkoch
as Blonde with Jim Morrison
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Jean Pflieger
as Psychiatric Patient
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Lacy Darryl Phillips
as Dancer
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Louise Rapport
as Older Woman at Party
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Debra Jo Rupp
as Psychiatric Patient
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Matt Sergott
as Dancer
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Jonathan Silverman
as Jay Norman
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Ron Stein
as Elvis
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Carol Ann Susi
as Psychiatric Patient
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Paul Thorpe
as Dancer
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Paolo Tocha
as Landlord
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Sergio Trujillo
as Dancer
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Clement von Franckenstein
as Opening Man
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Jerry Whitman
as Singer
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Meg Wittner
as Woman at Book Party
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Kay Yamamoto
as Psychiatric Patient
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Carrie Yazel
as Girl at Dakota's
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Edward J. Forsyth
as Dancer
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Ken Hughes
as Dancer
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Michael Mills
as Police Officer
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Thomas Murphy
as Eviction Cop
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Sydney Pollack
as Doctor
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Bob Swaim
as Andy Warhol
- Karen Rea
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Dan Lee Clark
as Lisle's Body Guard
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Michael Higgins
as Dancer
- Michael Caine
