A pivotal film in the emotional growth of David Cronenberg, I understand why it ranks so high in the definitive list of Horror/Thrillers. Any time I’ve written or spoken about Dead Ringers it’s from the opinion that I don’t think it’s a successful movie on its own, and Cronenberg leans too heavily on comfortable elements that work against the drama. The twin performances by Jeremy Irons is extraordinary, and Geneviève Bujold is just as good. The level of pre-digital craft used to put the Mantle twins in frame together, along with Irons acting and reacting to himself has still never been surpassed. That’s the oil.
The vinegar is the way Cronenberg’s fascination with body horror bubbles up. There’s enough baked into the true story of these male gynecologists whose co-dependence leads to drug addiction, deteriorating mental health and death. It’s something you can be subtle about, especially when the actors are ready to do the hard work. Touches like garish red surgical outfits and “instruments for operating on Mutant Women” make the film distinctly Cronenberg, but take away from the story rather than enhance it. I think the more confident Cronenberg from just a few years later would agree.
(I also started the 2023 miniseries because casting Rachel Weisz as the Mantle twins is inspired. That version leans even harder into the body horror, and checked out after two episodes.)
Leave A Comment