The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Death Becomes Her
Entertainment • Film

Death Becomes Her

Death Becomes Her is a 1992 American black comedy fantasy film directed and produced by Robert Zemeckis.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Death Becomes Her is a 1992 American black comedy fantasy film directed and produced by Robert Zemeckis. Written by David Koepp and Martin Donovan, it stars Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis, and Isabella Rossellini as people drawn into a scheme for eternal youth with disastrous results.

Plot

The story centres on two women whose rivalry escalates after they discover a potion that promises eternal youth. Their pursuit of beauty and immortality leads to increasingly dark and comic consequences.

Production

Death Becomes Her was directed and produced by Robert Zemeckis and written by David Koepp and Martin Donovan. It was filmed in Los Angeles between December 1991 and April 1992.

Release and reception

The film premiered in the United States on July 31, 1992. It received mixed reviews on release but later gained recognition as a cult classic.

Awards and legacy

The film won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, reflecting its technical innovation. It has remained notable for its visual effects and for its later stage adaptation.

Key facts

  • The film follows two rivals who become obsessed with beauty and immortality.
  • It was released in the United States by Universal Pictures in 1992.
  • The film won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
  • Its use of computer-generated effects was widely noted at the time.
  • It has developed a cult following and has been described as especially popular within the gay community.
🍁
Canadian context

The film is part of the North American canon of early-1990s Hollywood fantasy comedies and remains familiar to Canadian audiences through television, home video, streaming, and stage-adaptation coverage.

Frequently asked questions

What is Death Becomes Her about?
It is about two rivals who seek eternal youth and beauty through a mysterious potion, only to face grotesque and comic consequences.
Who directed Death Becomes Her?
Robert Zemeckis directed the film and also served as a producer.
Who stars in Death Becomes Her?
The main cast includes Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis, and Isabella Rossellini.
When was Death Becomes Her released?
It was released in the United States on July 31, 1992.
Did Death Becomes Her win any major awards?
Yes. It won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
Was Death Becomes Her adapted for the stage?
Yes. It was later adapted into a Broadway musical.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Becomes_Her
    Supports: Release year, genre, director, writers, cast, plot premise, Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, cult status, Broadway musical adaptation
  2. Turner Classic Movies — https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/19219/death-becomes-her
    Supports: Basic plot description and U.S. release timing
  3. Metacritic — https://www.metacritic.com/movie/death-becomes-her/details/
    Supports: Release date, runtime, distributor, genres, and synopsis
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/death_becomes_her
    Supports: Synopsis, director, producer, screenwriters, distributor, rating, genre, runtime
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104070/
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, release date, runtime, country and language