Death Becomes Her Story Analysis: Plot Summary & Character Arcs
Deep dive into the narrative structure and emotional journey of Death Becomes Her.
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1992, Death Becomes Her is a Comedy, Fantasy, Horror film directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by David Koepp. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Meryl Streep as Madeline Ashton Menville.
What Is the Story of Death Becomes Her?
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Madeline is married to Ernest, who was once her arch-rival Helen's fiancé. After recovering from a mental breakdown, Helen vows to kill Madeline and steal back Ernest. Unfortunately for everyone, the introduction of a magic potion causes things to be a great deal more complicated than a mere murder plot. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
How Is Death Becomes Her Structured?
- Opening Hook: Death Becomes Her's opening establishes the comedic tone through Meryl Streep as Madeline Ashton Menville's interactions, introducing the central conflict with humor and character quirks that Robert Zemeckis layers throughout.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Meryl Streep's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together the recurring threads, with Meryl Streep's storyline wrapping up predictably but entertainingly.