The 1992 cult classic Death Becomes Her is back with a dazzling 2025 reimagining, hitting theaters in late August 2025. Directed by Nisha Ganatra, this R-rated supernatural comedy blends Hollywood glamour, biting satire, and dark humor in a fresh take on the battle against aging and ego. Starring Anne Hathaway as the narcissistic actress Madeline Ashton and Zendaya as the enigmatic Lisle Von Rhuman, the film promises a wickedly entertaining ride through vanity, betrayal, and immortality gone wrong. With a stellar cast, sharp wit, and jaw-dropping twists, this remake amplifies the original’s campy charm for a new generation, delivering a satirical spectacle that’s as glamorous as it is grotesque.
The Story: A Tale of Vanity and Vengeance
Set in the glittering yet cutthroat world of Hollywood, Death Becomes Her (2025) follows Madeline Ashton, a fading Broadway star desperate to cling to fame, beauty, and youth. When her lifelong frenemy, Helen Sharp, a writer with ambitions of her own, re-enters her life, their rivalry reignites with ferocious intensity. The plot kicks off when Madeline steals Helen’s fiancé, Ernest Menville, a renowned plastic surgeon, sparking a decades-long feud fueled by jealousy and revenge. As both women grapple with aging in an industry obsessed with perfection, they encounter Lisle Von Rhuman, a mysterious seductress who offers a magical potion promising eternal youth—at a sinister cost.
The potion grants immortality but not invincibility, leading to a series of darkly hilarious mishaps as Madeline and Helen’s bodies endure increasingly absurd damage while their feud escalates. The remake updates the setting to modern-day Los Angeles, incorporating social media, influencer culture, and the pressures of today’s beauty standards, while retaining the original’s satirical edge. The script, penned by Diablo Cody, infuses contemporary humor and feminist undertones, poking fun at Hollywood’s obsession with youth and the lengths people go to defy mortality. With a runtime of approximately 110 minutes, the film balances campy comedy, supernatural thrills, and grotesque visuals, all heightened by state-of-the-art special effects that bring the characters’ “undead” antics to vivid life.
Early buzz from test screenings suggests the remake captures the original’s irreverent spirit while adding modern flair. Critics have noted its vibrant visuals, sharp dialogue, and the chemistry between its leads, though some purists worry it may lean too heavily on CGI over practical effects. Nonetheless, the trailer’s glimpses of glamorous chaos, complete with decapitations, shotgun blasts, and witty one-liners, have fans eagerly awaiting a film that promises to be both a love letter to the original and a bold new vision.
The Star-Studded Cast: A Perfect Blend of Charm and Chaos
The 2025 Death Becomes Her boasts a powerhouse ensemble, led by Anne Hathaway as Madeline Ashton. Hathaway channels Madeline’s narcissistic charm and desperation with a performance that’s equal parts hilarious and unhinged, showcasing her comedic chops and dramatic depth. Her transformation from glamorous diva to a walking corpse with a twisted neck is both grotesque and captivating, earning early praise for her commitment to the role’s physical comedy.
Zendaya shines as Lisle Von Rhuman, the seductive, centuries-old sorceress who offers the fountain of youth. With her magnetic presence, Zendaya brings a modern mystique to Lisle, blending allure with menace as she manipulates the women’s insecurities. Her performance, draped in extravagant costumes, has been highlighted as a standout, with critics calling her “a dazzling force of nature.”
Florence Pugh plays Helen Sharp, Madeline’s rival, with a mix of vulnerability and vengeful fury. Pugh’s ability to balance Helen’s initial insecurity with her descent into gleeful chaos makes her a perfect foil to Hathaway. Paul Rudd takes on the role of Ernest Menville, the plastic surgeon caught between the two women. Rudd’s everyman charm and comedic timing add warmth to Ernest’s moral dilemmas, especially as he grapples with the consequences of the potion.
Supporting roles elevate the film further. Daniel Radcliffe appears as a sleazy Hollywood agent who fuels Madeline’s insecurities, while Anya Taylor-Joy plays a young influencer caught in Lisle’s orbit, adding a modern twist to the story. Lizzo makes a cameo as a pop star at one of Lisle’s lavish parties, bringing her signature charisma to a scene-stealing moment. The ensemble’s chemistry, combined with Ganatra’s direction, ensures the film’s over-the-top tone lands with both humor and heart. Filmed in Los Angeles with additional shoots in Paris for Lisle’s opulent backstory, the movie’s lush production design and Alexandre Desplat’s playful score enhance the cast’s dynamic performances.
Plot Twists: Shocking Turns in a Battle Beyond the Grave
Death Becomes Her thrives on its wild plot twists, and the 2025 remake delivers plenty to keep audiences gasping and laughing. The trailer teases a series of outrageous developments, starting with the potion’s unexpected side effects. While Madeline and Helen gain eternal youth, their bodies become increasingly fragile, leading to hilarious yet horrifying injuries—a broken neck, a hole blasted through a stomach—that they must conceal in public. One early twist reveals the potion’s fine print: immortality comes with a curse of eternal maintenance, forcing the women to rely on Ernest’s surgical skills and Lisle’s costly interventions.
A major twist likely centers on Helen’s revenge plan. Unlike the original, where Helen’s schemes were straightforward, the remake suggests she’s been secretly working with Lisle from the start, manipulating Madeline into taking the potion as part of a long-game betrayal. This revelation could flip their rivalry, showing Helen as the mastermind behind their shared doom. Another shocker may involve Ernest, who, in a departure from his meek original persona, might attempt to steal the potion for himself, only to face dire consequences—perhaps a grotesque transformation that traps him in a fate worse than death.
Lisle’s true nature provides another jaw-dropping turn. The trailer hints that she’s not just a sorceress but a collector of souls, using the potion to trap her clients in eternal servitude. A climactic twist could see Madeline and Helen, briefly uniting, attempt to destroy Lisle, only to discover she’s orchestrated their feud to fuel her own power. The finale might introduce a modern twist, with their immortal chaos going viral on social media, exposing their secret to the world—or a darker ending where they’re trapped in Lisle’s mansion, forever bound to her will.
The historical context of the original, where practical effects created iconic visuals, is updated with CGI to amplify the gore and absurdity, but the trailer suggests a key twist involving a public event—perhaps a red-carpet meltdown—where Madeline and Helen’s injuries are revealed in humiliating fashion. These twists ensure the film balances campy fun with dark satire, keeping viewers on edge.
Why This Remake Matters: A Fresh Take on a Cult Classic
The original Death Becomes Her, directed by Robert Zemeckis, became a cult favorite for its bold mix of comedy, horror, and satire, earning an Academy Award for its groundbreaking visual effects. The 2025 remake honors that legacy while updating it for today’s audiences, tackling modern obsessions with youth, fame, and social media. Diablo Cody’s script adds feminist layers, exploring how women are pitted against each other in a culture that values appearance over substance. The film’s R-rating allows for edgier humor and gorier visuals, pushing the boundaries of the original’s PG-13 tone.
Nisha Ganatra, known for Late Night and The High Note, brings a fresh perspective, blending camp with emotional depth. The film’s themes resonate in an era of Instagram filters and anti-aging trends, making its satire both timely and timeless. The all-star cast, particularly Hathaway and Zendaya, adds star power, while Florence Pugh and Paul Rudd ground the absurdity with relatability. The movie’s Los Angeles setting, with its glitzy yet shallow backdrop, mirrors the characters’ inner turmoil, enhanced by lavish costumes and a vibrant soundtrack featuring Lizzo’s original song for the credits.
What to Expect on Release Day
Death Becomes Her (2025) opens in theaters on August 29, 2025, distributed by Universal Pictures. With a runtime of around 110 minutes, it promises a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud experience with enough shocks to keep audiences buzzing. Early screenings have praised the film’s bold visuals, sharp humor, and the chemistry between Hathaway, Pugh, and Zendaya, though some note it may not surpass the original’s charm for diehard fans. Still, the trailer’s promise of “a carnival of vanity and vengeance” suggests a wildly entertaining ride.
For fans of dark comedy, supernatural thrills, and Hollywood satire, this reimagining delivers a glittering spectacle. As Madeline and Helen battle beyond the grave, Death Becomes Her proves that some rivalries—and some potions—are forever. Get ready for a glamorous, grotesque, and gloriously twisted return to a cult classic.
