What filmmaking techniques does Death Becomes Her use?

CineCode breaks down 4 techniques in Death Becomes Her (1992): Body Horror, Photorealistic CGI Pioneering, Psychological Doubling and Obsession as Structural Engine.

Who directed Death Becomes Her?

Robert Zemeckis directed Death Becomes Her, released in 1992. CineCode also covers Romancing the Stone (1984), Back to the Future (1985), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Back to the Future Part II (1989), Back to the Future Part III (1990), Forrest Gump (1994).

What films are similar to Death Becomes Her?

Films that share techniques with Death Becomes Her include Black Swan (2010), Amadeus (1984), Perfect Blue (1997), Phantom Thread (2017).

Comedy · Fantasy

Death Becomes Her

Robert Zemeckis, 1992

Two longtime rivals, Madeline and Helen, drink a potion that lets them stay young and unable to die. Their feud turns into a gruesome comic battle. Watch how the film uses visual effects to make jokes out of horror.

2 Psychology 1 Cinematography 1 Narrative

At a glance

Death Becomes Her is a 1992 comedy and fantasy film directed by Robert Zemeckis. This breakdown covers 4 techniques (2 psychology, 1 cinematography and 1 narrative), each with the scene where you can see it. If you like how it is made, Black Swan uses several of the same techniques.

Psychology

Body Horror

Showing the human body being changed, damaged or falling apart. The horror works because you imagine it happening to your own body, and it often stands for mental suffering.

How this film uses it

Both women's bodies are broken in extreme ways but keep going. A twisted neck and a hole in the middle of a torso are played as jokes. The comedy hits because you can imagine the pain.

Where to see it

The neck: After a shovel hit, Madeline resets her twisted neck, and the film shows it with new digital skin effects.

Cinematography

Photorealistic CGI Pioneering

Making images entirely by computer and tuning the surfaces, lighting and focus to look like live-action photography. At its best, you can't tell what was filmed and what was rendered.

How this film uses it

The film used early computer-generated skin textures to make the effects look real. The result let the camera stay on damage without cutting away. It was seen as a landmark for visual effects.

Where to see it

The neck reset: The shot where Madeline puts her head back into place was one of the first to use computer-made skin.

Psychology

Psychological Doubling

Pairing the main character with a second character who mirrors them. The double shows what the hero wants, fears or secretly is.

How this film uses it

Madeline and Helen are each other's mirror. Each wants what the other has, and their rivalry keeps them together. By the end they are literally tied to each other.

Where to see it

The reconciliation: After Madeline shoots Helen and Helen reveals she drank the potion too, they realize they need each other.

Narrative

Obsession as Structural Engine

Building the whole plot on one character's fixation with a person, goal or rival. Every scene ties back to it, and the obsession keeps feeding itself while it destroys them.

How this film uses it

Both women are fixated on beauty and on beating each other. That fixation drives every plot turn and keeps feeding itself. Over decades, it destroys them.

Where to see it

The final funeral: Decades later, Helen and Madeline attend Ernest's funeral, falling down stairs and left as talking heads.

Questions

Death Becomes Her: quick answers

What filmmaking techniques does Death Becomes Her use?: CineCode breaks down 4 techniques in Death Becomes Her (1992): Body Horror, Photorealistic CGI Pioneering, Psychological Doubling and Obsession as Structural Engine.
Who directed Death Becomes Her?: Robert Zemeckis directed Death Becomes Her, released in 1992. CineCode also covers Romancing the Stone (1984), Back to the Future (1985), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Back to the Future Part II (1989), Back to the Future Part III (1990), Forrest Gump (1994).
What films are similar to Death Becomes Her?: Films that share techniques with Death Becomes Her include Black Swan (2010), Amadeus (1984), Perfect Blue (1997), Phantom Thread (2017).

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