Death Becomes Her

Two rival women, once entangled by romance and revenge, circle each other in a satirical fantasy about youth, ambition and vanity. Madeline Ashton is wed to Ernest Menville, who used to be Helen Sharp's fiancé before life pulled them apart. After Helen pulls herself back from a breakdown, she vows to win Ernest back and settle old scores. Their petty feud takes an uncanny turn when a mysterious elixir lands in their lives, turning desire, fear and competitiveness into a dangerous mix. As the potion works its charm, alliances shift and old wounds flare, raising the stakes far beyond a simple lover's squabble. The film blends wicked humor with macabre spectacle. The tone stays witty and sly throughout for real.

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film stems from an original screenplay by David Koepp and Martin Donovan rather than a direct adaptation, blending dark wit with fantasy and a polished, studio sheen. It marked Zemeckis's continued versatility for its era.

Its production budget was 55 million dollars and it went on to gross about 149 million worldwide, signaling solid commercial appeal for a fantasy comedy that skewers vanity as much as it entertains. Its appeal crossed mainstream and genre audiences.

The movie left a mark with its gleefully outlandish makeup and practical effects that pushed the fantasy horror vibe, while Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep cemented a pair of show stopping performances. It's a reference point for late 90s genre blending. Its effects still feel surprisingly practical today honestly too.

Critics praised the film for its bold humor and stylish theatrics, balancing jokes about aging with a sharp look at friendship and envy. The satire lands when the performances turn the fantasy into a pointed social riff. It invites viewers to reflect on vanity and friendship, and folly for fans.