Starring: Rachel Weisz, Britne Oldford, Michael Chernus, Poppy Liu
Plot Summary: The Mantle twins, identical from head to toe, are on a mission to change the way women give birth.
When sorting through the bone, gristle and guts of David Cronenberg’s vast and unsettling filmography, it’s interesting that his 1988 outing Dead Ringers would be chosen as a mini-series. Sure, the original film has its loyal followers, but in terms of Cronenberg’s other output, it’s considered very good, but not nearly his best. However, the idea of reimagining this late ‘80s body-horror romp as a limited series is incredibly intriguing.
While the original film was rich with a pulpy and evocative narrative and filled with engaging subtext, it has always felt odd that the subject of birth was explored through a male lens. In one of the major departures, this is thankfully course corrected. With this simple yet highly effective change, the series sets itself up to examine an array of avenues which the film could not. The showrunners really do make the most of this. Where the show is at its best is when it’s truly taking its female-centric body-horror and asking us to think about what it means to make life, especially in a post-dismantled Roe v. Wade landscape. The show doesn’t shy away from talking about pro-life topics, yet in a way that feels narratively organic to the story and not preachy.
It feels very rewarding to see Dead Ringers go into abstract areas. This occurs in episode five, in which, during a presumed dream, the story of an enslaved African American woman and the horrors she endured are recounted by an unknown woman in some empty void-like space. This acts as a sharp commentary on not only women’s healthcare but also healthcare for marginalized groups. Sadly, with trans healthcare being attacked, this is a timely topic.
It’s also too tempting to not fold in the Frankenstein-myth, since not only does it talk about creating life in unnatural ways, but also, it was written by a woman. This is nicely mirrored in how the Mantle sisters are playing God, and creating life in ways that are dubious and highly illegal. Using Mary Shelley’s groundbreaking novel as a springboard to build off of Cronenberg’s material works extremely well, and makes for gripping television. While on the subject of refreshing the source material, it’s nice to see a compelling Queer character, who is indeed, flawed but not tragic. The show does a nice job at hitting on its themes of womanhood, healthcare, the opioid crisis and what it means to grow life, yet it also gives the audience plenty thrills.
Peeling back the weightier subject matter, you will find rich drama but also some truly horrifying moments and well-paced tension. After all is said and done, this is truly the offspring of Cronenberg, and the body-horror is always ready to rear its head. This kind of body-horror is handled in ways that while not divorced totally from the Canadian director, tends to tackle it in new and daring ways. The horror this time isn’t so much twisted and deformed mounds of flesh, so much as it’s the trauma and occasional horrors of creating life, both naturally and unnaturally. Highlighting this point is a mantra used throughout, “birth isn’t a disease” when not referring to the clinic as a hospital. This is an interesting reflection of Cronenberg’s decay and twisting of the body, and the natural order of life.
We would be remiss to not mention how visually sublime this series is, and its hyper-focus on shot composition and use of color and space is nothing short of masterful. This is just a great looking show that rival’s most studio films being made today.
Rachel Weisz stars as both Mantle twins, and the actor makes a full meal out of the dual role. Each sister is performed in such a way that you can tell which is which just by the acting choices applied. She is supported by an incredible supporting cast including Britne Oldford, Michael Chernus and Poppy Liu. Everyone feels completely in sync with the material, and they truly make this world feel believable. Dead Ringers is a much-needed refreshing of an ‘80s cult classic. Its daring, bold and challenges but also entertains with surgical skill.
Dead Ringers is currently available to stream on Prime Video.
Dead Ringers is a much-needed refreshing of an ‘80s cult classic. Its daring, bold and challenges but also entertains with surgical skill.
Big film nerd and TCM Obsessed. Author of The Ultimate Guide to Strange Cinema from Schiffer Publishing. Resume includes: AMC’s The Bite, Scream Magazine etc. Love all kinds of movies and television and have interviewed a wide range of actors, writers, producers and directors. I currently am a regular co-host on the podcast The Humanoids from the Deep Dive and have a second book in the works from Bear Manor.
