An fascinating parallel will be drawn between the Dead Ringers and Watchmen franchises, as their completed merchandise appeared to comply with the same development — the unique supply materials was critically acclaimed; then got here a reasonably darn good film; then got here a exceptional streaming miniseries. The Dead Ringers reboot dropped on Prime Video this yr, and simply whenever you thought TV was getting too darkish, Rachel Weisz’s sequence proves the medium maybe has no limits in the case of grimness. David Cronenberg’s movie of the identical identify was launched in 1988 and was additionally fairly darkish, thoughts you.
And whereas the Prime Video sequence continues to be turning heads, we took a more in-depth take a look at the way it compares to the O.G. film. At the tip of the day, it is protected to say each the movie and sequence are successes, regardless of their overwhelmingly darkish nature. It’s robust to say which is best, however simple to say that followers of the movie will definitely benefit from the sequence. At the very least, this is a deeper evaluation of each.
A Closer Look at Cronenberg’s Film
It all began with a real-life story that turned heads. Stewart and Cyril Marcus have been an identical twin gynecologists born in 1930 who practiced in New York City. They have been born collectively — they usually died collectively, as their our bodies have been present in 1975, having simply lived on this earth for 45 years. The particulars surrounding their sudden deaths at a comparatively younger age have been skeptical at first; in the end, the circumstances grew to become the topic of articles throughout New York and the U.S.
Two years later got here the novel Twins by Bari Wood and Jack Geasland, a fictional account of the lives and deaths of dual medical doctors sure collectively by concord and extra. And then, 10 years later got here the critically acclaimed movie by Cronenberg himself, who is alleged to have drawn on each the Marcuses’ story and the novel that weaves the same story.
Fans of the 1988 film will recall that Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons performs the twins, Elliot and Beverly, profitable gynecologists who work on the similar follow. We rapidly collect that Elliot sometimes grows attracted his sufferers and even has affairs with them. Then, a well-known actress (Geneviève Bujold) comes alongside, and it’s Beverly who falls in love — in the end complicating the brotherly dynamic to deadly impact.
Similarities Between the Cronenberg Film and Prime Video Series
Many components of the movie are echoed within the Prime Video sequence of the identical identify. The fundamental characters are certainly twins named Elliot and Beverly Mantle, who share all the pieces, similar to with Irons’ portrayals within the movie. Being good medical doctors, they push the boundaries of medical ethics when it comes to ladies’s well being care associated to being pregnant and beginning. Elliot and Beverly additionally swap identities each time they’re in a pinch and see no different various.
Also, these notorious crimson surgeon outfits seem in each the movie and sequence. Drug use/habit is closely prevalent in each tasks. And lastly, even if they’re an identical twins, their personalities are distinct. In each the film and TV present, Bev is extra correct and reserved, whereas Elliot is clearly the extra eccentric extrovert.
How the Series Deviates from the Original Story
One may argue the Prime Video miniseries is just like the film — however on steroids. Critics are calling it a “masterful if morbid meditation on distress.” The sequence not solely places a intelligent women-oriented spin on the unique movie, however it additionally gives commentary on real-world points resembling fertility and even the opioid disaster. Fingers crossed that there shall be a second season of the present, for the reason that first installment did not ever present Weisz’s twin personas as youngsters, like Irons’ film did. But what the sequence omitted, it makes up for with intelligent supporting-character additions. Not solely does actress Poppy Liu shine because the twins’ maid within the sequence, however there’s additionally a juicy journalist character named Silas (performed to perfection by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine).
The sequence additionally jumps round when it comes to narrative construction, a tool that is usually utilized in different high-profile sequence nowadays like The Last of Us and even The Mandalorian. And one other scorching development on TV nowadays is humor laced with the ever-present darkish themes. Dead Ringers masters darkish comedy throughout every episode, which was solely merely hinted at in Cronenberg’s 1988 movie. At the tip of the day, Irons and Weisz are world-class, Oscar-winning actors, and we won’t wait to see what’s subsequent for every.