Overview
A tale of deception and identity unfolds in a world where love and greed collide.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- sinister
- melodramatic
- tense
- classic movie night
- gothic thriller evening
What critics said
Critics and modern audiences broadly regard the film as an effective, stylish identity-switch thriller anchored by Bette Davis's dual performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Edith kills her twin Margaret and assumes Margaret's name, relationships, and affluent lifestyle.
Bette Davis plays both Edith Phillips and Margaret DeLorca, making resemblance and contrast central to the film.
Edith's anger over Margaret's wealth, marriage, and manipulation motivates the murder and impersonation.
Viewers know Edith has killed Margaret and adopted her identity while Tony Collins and the detectives investigate the altered circumstances.
Films like Dead Ringer, and why
The Dark Mirror
shared identity deception, female-centered psychological suspense, and fatal moral transgression
Sisters
shared twin doubling, gothic domestic tension, and psychological mystery
Mildred Pierce
shared noir atmosphere, murderous desire, and escalating identity concealment
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
shared female ambition, melodramatic crime, and psychologically corrosive deception
Movie Details
- Director
- Paul Henreid
- Release Date
- 1964-01-29
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (115)
Cast
- Bette Davis
- Karl Malden
- Peter Lawford
- Philip Carey
- Jean Hagen
- George Macready
- Estelle Winwood
- George Chandler
- Mario Alcalde
- Cyril Delevanti
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Dead Ringer about?
- A betrayed woman murders her identical twin and inherits her luxurious life, only to find deception closing in from every direction.
- What is Dead Ringer like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dead Ringer as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Dead Ringer violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Dead Ringer as moderate.
- What did critics think of Dead Ringer?
- Critics and modern audiences broadly regard the film as an effective, stylish identity-switch thriller anchored by Bette Davis's dual performance.
- Which films are like Dead Ringer?
- Films with a similar feel include The Dark Mirror, Sisters, Mildred Pierce, and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?.
- How long is Dead Ringer?
- Dead Ringer runs 116 minutes.
- Where can I watch Dead Ringer?
- In United States, Dead Ringer is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
