Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- sleek
- cynical
- paranoid
- late night thriller viewing
- neo-noir double feature
What critics said
Critics generally found the sleek neo-noir direction and Matt Dillon's controlled performance stronger than the thin, clichéd screenplay and underdeveloped characterization.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jonathan targets Dorothy and then Ellen because of their connection to Thor Carlsson's wealth and business empire.
Jonathan presents himself as a suitable partner while concealing Dorothy's murder and courting her twin sister.
The film is explicitly identified as neo-noir and frames murder, wealth, deception, and doomed desire through polished 1990s crime-thriller aesthetics.
Sean Young portrays both Dorothy and Ellen, while the plot depends on Jonathan's transition from one sister to the other.
Films like A Kiss Before Dying, and why
To Die For
Shared neo-noir atmosphere, calculated murder, and morally corrupt protagonist pursuing wealth and social advancement.
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Shared psychological crime-thriller structure centered on identity, manipulation, and escalating murder.
A Simple Plan
Shared noir-inflected suspense, cold-blooded ambition, and a protagonist concealing a criminal scheme from an affluent family.
Sea of Love
Shared remake-era neo-noir style, erotic menace, and suspense built around betrayal and murder.
Movie Details
- Director
- James Dearden
- Release Date
- 1991-04-26
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 5.6 / 10 (139)
Cast
- Matt Dillon
- Sean Young
- Max von Sydow
- Diane Ladd
- James Russo
- Adam Horovitz
- Martha Gehman
- Ben Browder
- Briony Glassco
- Galaxy Craze
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 A Kiss Before Dying about?
- A ruthless student murders his pregnant girlfriend and courts her twin sister to seize a place inside her wealthy family.
- What is A Kiss Before Dying like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A Kiss Before Dying as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is A Kiss Before Dying violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in A Kiss Before Dying as moderate.
- What did critics think of A Kiss Before Dying?
- Critics generally found the sleek neo-noir direction and Matt Dillon's controlled performance stronger than the thin, clichéd screenplay and underdeveloped characterization.
- Which films are like A Kiss Before Dying?
- Films with a similar feel include To Die For, The Talented Mr. Ripley, A Simple Plan, and Sea of Love.
- How long is A Kiss Before Dying?
- A Kiss Before Dying runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch A Kiss Before Dying?
- In United States, A Kiss Before Dying is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
