Dead Ringers
Two bodies. Two minds. One soul.
Overview
Elliot, a successful gynecologist, works at the same practice as his identical twin, Beverly. Elliot is attracted to many of his patients and has affairs with them. When he inevitably loses interest, he will give the woman over to Beverly, the meeker of the two, without the woman knowing the difference. Beverly falls hard for one of the patients, Claire, but when she inadvertently deceives him, he slips into a state of madness.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Released in the late 1980s, "Dead Ringers" taps into anxieties surrounding advancements in medical technology and the potential for misuse of scientific knowledge. The film also reflects a growing cultural fascination with the darker aspects of human psychology and the fragility of the human body, prevalent in body horror films of the era.
- Jeremy Irons' dual performance is mesmerizing and disturbing, showcasing his incredible range and commitment to portraying the deeply intertwined Mantle twins.
- David Cronenberg's masterful direction creates a palpable atmosphere of dread and psychological tension, exploring themes of identity, addiction, and the horrors of the human body.
- The film's unique exploration of gynecological obsession and the distorted pursuit of perfection makes it a thought-provoking and unsettling experience that lingers long after viewing.
- The practical effects, particularly the gynecological instruments designed by the Mantle twins, are incredibly disturbing and contribute significantly to the film's body horror aesthetic.
Fun Facts
- David Cronenberg originally wanted to cast two separate actors to play the Mantle twins, but eventually decided that Jeremy Irons was capable of portraying both roles effectively.
- The gynecological instruments designed by the Mantle twins were created by special effects artist Stephan Dupuis and were intentionally made to be both frightening and strangely beautiful.
- Elements of the story are loosely based on the lives of real-life twin gynecologists Stewart and Cyril Marcus, who were found dead in their Manhattan apartment in 1975.
Available Languages
English
US
Title:
"Two bodies. Two minds. One soul."
Deutsch
DE
Title: Die Unzertrennlichen
"Zwei Körper. Zwei Leben. Eine Seele."
Italiano
IT
Title: Inseparabili
""
Français
FR
Title: Faux-semblants
"Deux corps. Deux esprits. Une âme."
Português
PT
Title: Irmãos Inseparáveis
"Dois Corpos. Duas Mentes. Uma Alma."
Español
ES
Title: Inseparables
"Dos cuerpos. Dos mentes. Una alma."
Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
I've often thought that there should be beauty contests for the insides of bodies.
Dead Ringers is directed by David Cronenberg who also co-adapts the screenplay with Norman Snider from the book "Twins" written by Bari Wood and Jack Geasland. It stars Jeremy Irons and Genevieve Bujold. Music is by Howard Shore and cinematography by Peter Suschitzky.
Identical twin gynaecologists Beverly and Elliott Mantle (Irons) run a high end fertility clinic in the city. Both in tune with each in spite of being different personalities, their world starts to fold inwards when Beverly falls in love with drug dependent actress Claire Niveau (Bujold).
Inspired by the real life story of gynaecologist twins Cyril and Steve Marcus (who were both found dead from suicide brought about by drug addiction), Dead Ringers is an amalgamation of unsettling horror and icy cold playfulness; in other words a perfect canvas for auteur Cronenberg to paint some of his peccadilloes.
Cronenberg doesn't need to be gory, gimmicky or schlocky, he instead utilises the characters on the page to spin a clinical character study. Themes pulsing throughout involve individuality, identity, misogyny, narcissism, eroticism and addiction, all played out in the mystical world of surgery and in-human metaphysics. The tempo never rises above a steady heart beat, rumbling along ominously, until we enter the home straight and the director delivers a devastating yet deeply moving conclusion.
Backed by a stunning dual performance from Irons, and a ballsy one from Bujold, Dead Ringers is a film of genuine greatness and a piece of work that's alive with smart ideas. 8.5/10
Sheer brilliance. Deep down, EVERYONE has a love/hate thing about identical twins. On the one side, they wish they had that kind of communion with someone, that sort of magical intimacy they share, having someone basically the exact same as themselves...yet that same one-of-a-kind companionship is scary as hell.
I haven't seen, from my fellow Canadian, either 'Scanners' (1981) or 'Naked Lunch' (1991), so I can't honestly say whether or not my assertion can be thus extended, but I dare ANYONE to find in horror a finer run than Cronenberg had, in 'Videodrome', 'The Dead Zone', 'The Fly'...and this, 'Dead Ringers'.
David Cronenberg reveals himself to be a total pseud. "Our identities blur together. We are one soul." Give me a break
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
Haven't Nominated for Oscar
Media
Featurette
Gordon Smith On Creating The Special Effects
Featurette
Peter Suschitzky On Jeremy Irons Playing Beverly and Elliot
Trailer
Official Trailer