Dead Ringers

Name: Dead Ringers
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Romance
Released: September 23, 1988
Duration: 116 min
Rating: 86
Cast: Geneviève Bujold, Jeremy Irons

1988

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 88 Ratings

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5.6

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5.6	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 88 Ratings

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Dead Ringers

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: September 23, 1988 | R

Starring: Geneviève Bujold, Jeremy Irons

Summary: The chilling story of identical twin gynecologists--suave Elliot and sensitive Beverly, bipolar sides of one personality--who share the same practice, the same apartment, the same women. When a new patient, glamorous actress Claire Niveau, challenges their eerie bond, they descend into a whirlpool of sexual confusion, drugs, and madness.The chilling story of identical twin gynecologists--suave Elliot and sensitive Beverly, bipolar sides of one personality--who share the same practice, the same apartment, the same women. When a new patient, glamorous actress Claire Niveau, challenges their eerie bond, they descend into a whirlpool of sexual confusion, drugs, and madness. Jeremy Irons' tour-de-force performance--as both twins?raises disturbing questions about the nature of personal identity. (Criterion Collection)… Expand

Director: David Cronenberg

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 116 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Desson Thomson

For those who enjoy cinematic visits to other, darker worlds, this blood's for you. Watching Ringers is not unlike watching a critical operation -- unnerving but also enthralling. [23 Sept 1988] Read full review

100

Sheila Benson

To think of a film this assured, this unified and this dizzyingly potent, you have to go back to "Blue Velvet." [22 Sept 1988]

100

Mike Clark

An instant classic, an Oscar-worthy showcase for Jeremy Irons, and a tightrope ballet over dicey screen material… A subtle movie - and thus a disturbing one. Like “Vertigo,” “The Night of the Hunter,” “Repulsion” and a few others, it finds beauty in morbidity - then nags you to come back for a second dose. [23 Sept 1988]

Jonathan Rosenbaum

An astonishing tour de force--especially for Irons, whose sense of nuance is so refined that one can tell in a matter of seconds which twin he is playing in a particular scene. Read full review

Dave Kehr

It's almost too rich in ideas for its own good: The sense of concentration and proportion isn't there. But it remains an astonishing, magnetic, devastating piece of work. [23 Sept 1988]

Staff (Not Credited)

Cronenberg handles his usual fondness for gore in muted style. Read full review

David Sterritt

Is this misogyny, as some insist, or a critique of misogyny, as others say? Many moviegoers, grossed out by the film's gothic approach to medical matters, won't watch long enough to find out which is the answer. [30 Sept 1988]

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User Reviews

AustinC.

Dec 10, 2005

Captiating from the opening score, the movie is a masterpiece.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

MrJ

Oct 25, 2006

Captivating and depressing in the best way. So sad, you can feel the heartbreak of the brothers, and the sadness is that the heartbreak is for each other, and not the girl. Astonishing, beautiful, sad, brilliant.

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talisencrw

Jul 12, 2016

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-kindSheer 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'.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

BillyO.

Jan 3, 2004

It was very strange and interesting but there wasn't much plot. Nothing happened. The brothers had sex with the same girl and they then both became drug addicts. That is about the entire movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

HellHoleHorror

Feb 16, 2022

This was a very well-acted drama. What makes this film so good is the sheer quality of all of the actors in it. The story meanders as it follows the downfall of two socially rejected doctors. It is a little tough to watch at some points although always fascinating. Not very scary and notThis was a very well-acted drama. What makes this film so good is the sheer quality of all of the actors in it. The story meanders as it follows the downfall of two socially rejected doctors. It is a little tough to watch at some points although always fascinating. Not very scary and not accompanied with the usual body shock that you would expect from David Cronenberg. This film is a solid piece of interest. If you want to watch a serious drama then this would be a good choice.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

BlakeP

Nov 1, 2012

I'm probably in the minority here, but I felt the bleak, intense, and all too gory "Dead Ringers" is too twisted for its own good. Cronenberg directs with style and it exemplifies his skill as a director, and Irons gives two, distinct and excellent characterizations, but all the gloominessI'm probably in the minority here, but I felt the bleak, intense, and all too gory "Dead Ringers" is too twisted for its own good. Cronenberg directs with style and it exemplifies his skill as a director, and Irons gives two, distinct and excellent characterizations, but all the gloominess makes it no fun.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

NikolayG

Nov 26, 2016

A ponderously slow moving thriller with no real plot. Nothing really happens until the end, and what does finally happen makes no sense. I think this movie got attention because Jeremy Irons played two roles and in 1988 it was a complex matter to double a person on screen; it also gaveA ponderously slow moving thriller with no real plot. Nothing really happens until the end, and what does finally happen makes no sense. I think this movie got attention because Jeremy Irons played two roles and in 1988 it was a complex matter to double a person on screen; it also gave Jeremy irons about twice as much screen time as any other actor gets when in a leading role, so it was a big opportunity for him to show off his acting range. But simply as a movie to watch and enjoy for the story it tells, there is absolutely nothing here to see. Life is short. Give this a pass.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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