Storyline
Madeline is married to Ernest, who was once arch-rival Helen's fiance. After recovering from a mental breakdown, Helen vows to kill Madeline and steal back Ernest. Unfortunately for everyone, the introduction of a magic potion causes things to be a great deal more complicated than a mere murder plot.
Directors
Writers
Cast
Meryl Streep, Mary Ellen Trainor, Nancy Fish, Bruce Willis, Sherry Lynn, Ai Wan, John Enos III, Fabio, Goldie Hawn, Susan Kellermann, Clement von Franckenstein, Sydney Pollack, Alaina Reed Hall, Isabella Rossellini, Debra Jo Rupp, Jonathan Silverman, Ian Ogilvy, William Frankfather, Adam Storke, Michelle Johnson, Bonnie Cahoon
Trailer
Reviews
75
Slant Magazine
Death Becomes Her is one of the few mainstream comedies that you don’t feel even had to try to be outlandish. It was simply born that way.
75
More cosmetic than cosmic in its approach, it thrives on what it condemns and in its own weird, wonderfully savvy fashion, spanks the liposucked fannies of Hollywood. It's as irresistibly nasty as The War of the Roses and as cheerily Gothic as The Witches of Eastwick.
70
Sporadically very funny indeed, the script features some nicely wicked one-liners, which are well complemented by Zemeckis' sight gags and by performances of great gusto. Far from sophisticated in its satire of narcissism, but enormous fun.
63
While Death is fun, there's something cool and removed about it, which makes it feel ultimately like an exercise in special effects. It's more clever than affecting, its narrative tactics more like entertaining detours than a mounting drama. That shortcoming is redeemed by the movie's grim relentlessness.
60
Empire
Both leading ladies display great willingness to send up themselves and Hollywood, and Willis' quiet nervous breakdown showcases his previously unguessed-at comic skills. But it's the pitch-black comedy and celebrity satire that make this so enjoyable.
Other Movies You Might Enjoy
Aug 7, Aug 2001Osmosis Jones (2001)
May 2, May 2024Unfrosted (2024)
Mar 10, Mar 1978Return from Witch Mountain (1978)
Aug 28, Aug 2009Deep in the Valley (2009)
Feb 14, Feb 1986Wildcats (1986)
Mar 7, Mar 2025Another Simple Favor (2025)
Apr 20, Apr 2018Wanderland (2018)
Nov 15, Nov 2013The Best Man Holiday (2013)