Rewind Revue: Death Becomes Her

‘Bottoms up!’ You have to go all in with Death Becomes Her or not at all.

It does take some time for everything to click into place. But when that ‘Ah!’ moment finally hits, the film snaps into focus and declares: “You should learn not to compete with me. I always win!” And, for the most part, it absolutely does.

“Now a warning?” I can see why the reviews were mixed, but I reject them completely. This film does not take itself seriously, so why should we? It pulls you under its tide, growing more absurd, more theatrical, more ridiculous, until the comedy and spectacle sweep you away entirely.

Yes, the effects look of their time in 2026, but they are clever, inventive, and still surprisingly resilient. There is a confidence to them, a willingness to push the joke further than it should reasonably go, and that is exactly why they work.

To the negative reviews, I say: “I will not speak to you ’til you put your head on straight.” You simply cannot watch this film with a raised eyebrow. The whole point is that it is cynical, whimsical, and just a little bit twisted. Who wouldn’t sell their soul to stay young and beautiful?

Is there anything wrong with enjoying a film purely for the joy of it? What is wrong with laughter for the sake of laughter? Especially when it all comes together in such a satisfying full circle ending that feels as sharp as it is ridiculous.

It is fascinating that a film like this could receive such a mixed reception, only to find new life as a cult favourite and now a stage musical riding a wave of TikTok fuelled revival. Perhaps that says more about us than it does about the film.

Because watching it now, it is hard not to feel like it was ahead of its time. We are surrounded by stories obsessed with youth, beauty, and the price we pay to hold onto both. Death Becomes Her just got there first, and had the audacity to laugh while doing it.

This is not a quiet film. It is not subtle. It takes its time, but when it lands, it lands hard. Meet it on its own terms, and it does not just work. It wins.