A Kiss Before Dying Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A very ambitious man murders his pregnant girlfriend, then charms his way into her rich family by romancing her identical twin, who somehow doesn’t realize her new beau is the *only* suspicious person who appeared right after her sister’s ‘suicide.’

🍿 A Kiss Before Dying: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Calculated Murder

The film opens with Philadelphia student Jonathan Corliss, ambitious and ruthless, murdering his secret girlfriend, Dorothy Carlsson. Dorothy is pregnant, and Jonathan fears this will jeopardize her inheritance from her ultra-rich father, Thor Carlsson. He meticulously stages her death to appear as a suicide, leaving a fabricated note.

Ellen’s Lingering Suspicions

Dorothy’s twin sister, Ellen, is convinced that her sister’s death was not a suicide. Despite her father’s desire to maintain the family’s image and close the matter, Ellen begins her own quiet investigation. Her suspicions are fueled by small details, like Dorothy having bought new shoes on the day she died, which contradicts the idea of her planning to end her life.

A New Identity, A New Target

Jonathan flees to New York, where he assumes the identity of Jay Faraday, a social worker. He intentionally crosses paths with Ellen, charming his way into her life and, eventually, her heart. Unaware of his true identity and his connection to her sister’s death, Ellen falls deeply in love with him, believing him to be a compassionate and supportive partner. As their relationship deepens, Jonathan also subtly works his way into the good graces of Thor Carlsson, aiming for a position within the family’s copper empire.

The Web of Lies Unravels

As Ellen continues her relentless pursuit of the truth behind Dorothy’s death, she gets closer to uncovering Jonathan’s deception. Her investigation leads her to confront individuals who knew Dorothy, prompting Jonathan to commit further murders to cover his tracks and eliminate anyone who could expose his past. These desperate acts escalate the danger for Ellen, who is now unwittingly married to her sister’s killer.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jonathan Corliss (Matt Dillon): The ambitious and ruthless sociopath who murders to secure wealth and social status by charming his way into a rich family.
• Ellen Carlsson (Sean Young): The determined twin sister who refuses to believe her sister’s death was a suicide and begins a dangerous investigation, unknowingly falling for the killer.
• Dorothy Carlsson (Sean Young): Jonathan’s pregnant secret girlfriend and Ellen’s twin, whose murder is staged as a suicide and initiates Ellen’s quest for truth.
• Thor Carlsson (Max von Sydow): The ultra-rich industrialist and overprotective father whose family fortune is the ultimate target of Jonathan’s manipulative schemes.
• Patricia Farren (Martha Gehman): Dorothy’s college friend who unknowingly possesses information that could expose Jonathan, leading to her becoming his next victim.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jonathan Corliss: “I always knew I was destined for more than this.” – A statement reflecting Jonathan’s deep-seated ambition and belief that he is entitled to a life of wealth and power.
• Ellen: “Dorothy’s death wasn’t an accident. I know it.” – Ellen’s firm declaration of disbelief in her sister’s supposed suicide, setting her on a relentless quest for the truth.
• Jonathan Corliss: “Some things are worth fighting for, Ellen. Especially family.” – Jonathan’s manipulative words to Ellen, subtly aligning himself with her family’s values while secretly pursuing their fortune.
• Thor Carlsson: “This family has an image to protect.” – Thor Carlsson expressing his pragmatic concern for the family’s reputation and status, even in the face of tragedy.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $15,429,177
• Worldwide Gross: $15,429,177

💥 A Kiss Before Dying Reviews

Personal Review

You know, ‘A Kiss Before Dying’ is one of those movies you stumble upon and can’t quite turn off, even if you know exactly where it’s going. Matt Dillon is *so* good as the utterly chilling Jonathan; you just want to shake Ellen and yell, ‘He’s right there!’ The opening scene with the ‘accident’ is surprisingly brutal and sets a dark tone right away. I loved how Ellen keeps digging, even when everyone else gives up – it gives you someone to root for. Sure, Sean Young’s dual performance gets a lot of flak, but for me, it just added to the B-movie charm. It’s a pulpy, stylish thriller that, despite its flaws, delivers enough twisted fun to keep you hooked until the very end. The ending, especially, is quite a shocker!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers and neo-noir films”
  • “Viewers interested in 90s crime dramas”
  • “Matt Dillon fans, particularly those who enjoy his darker roles”
  • “Those who appreciate films based on Ira Levin’s novels”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong violence and disturbing murder scenes”
  • “Brief nudity and sexual content (shower scene)”
  • “Themes of manipulation, obsession, and psychopathy”
  • “Adult themes and situations”

Professional Reviews

• The Cinephile’s Couch: “‘A Kiss Before Dying’ attempts to channel classic noir but often lands closer to a stylish made-for-TV movie. Matt Dillon’s portrayal of the charming yet ruthless Jonathan Corliss is the film’s strongest asset, creating a compellingly sinister villain. Sean Young’s dual role, however, feels surprisingly flat, dampening the intended tension. While the plot has some intriguing twists from Ira Levin’s novel, the execution struggles to consistently deliver the high-stakes thrills it promises, often telegraphing its punches.
• Flick Focus: “This remake of the 1956 thriller benefits from a lurid, almost gaudy visual style that harks back to its pulp roots. Matt Dillon is well-cast as the ‘homme fatale,’ his brooding intensity hinting at the character’s dark obsession. However, Sean Young’s performance across both twin roles lacks the necessary depth, making it hard to fully invest in her character’s perilous journey. Despite moments of sharp suspense, the film occasionally trips over its own predictability, offering more of a watchable genre exercise than a truly memorable one.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved Matt Dillon’s chillingly smooth portrayal of a ruthless psychopath.: Many found the film to be an entertaining, albeit sometimes predictable, neo-noir thriller that held their interest.

The film’s dark and stylish visual aesthetic was frequently noted as a strong point.: Audiences appreciated its attempts at classic Hitchcockian suspense, even if not always perfectly executed.

Overall Consensus: ‘A Kiss Before Dying’ is a stylish yet flawed neo-noir thriller. While Matt Dillon’s menacing performance and the film’s dark atmosphere are often praised, Sean Young’s dual role and a predictable plot tend to divide audiences, positioning it as a cult classic for some and a forgettable remake for others.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Matt Dillon was the third choice for the lead role of Jonathan Corliss; River Phoenix turned it down, finding the character too evil, and Kiefer Sutherland declined due to scheduling conflicts.”
• “The film’s ending was reportedly re-shot after initial test audiences reacted negatively to the original conclusion.”
• “Director James Dearden paid significant homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s films, with direct visual and thematic references to ‘Vertigo’ (such as Sean Young’s dual role and a scene where Ellen watches ‘Vertigo’ on TV) and ‘Psycho’ (like the shower scenes and the appearance of a lonesome mother’s house).”

🖥️ How to Watch A Kiss Before Dying?

The 1991 thriller ‘A Kiss Before Dying’ is generally available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. You can typically find it on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and other major VOD providers. Check your preferred platform for current pricing and availability, including options to buy or rent the movie for instant streaming.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed A Kiss Before Dying, you might like these similar films:

• A Kiss Before Dying (1956): The original film adaptation of Ira Levin’s novel, offering a classic film noir take on the same story of ambition, murder, and deceit.
• Fatal Attraction (1987): A seminal psychological thriller from the same era, known for its themes of obsessive relationships, betrayal, and a dangerous romantic entanglement, with a similar creators link.
• Pacific Heights (1990): An early 90s psychological thriller featuring a cunning and manipulative antagonist who infiltrates and disrupts the lives of unsuspecting victims, creating similar domestic suspense.
• Gone Girl (2014): Features a complex, highly manipulative central character and a twisting narrative centered on deep-seated deceit within a relationship, appealing to fans of dark, character-driven thrillers.
• Vertigo (1958): Explicitly referenced as a major stylistic and thematic influence, particularly in its use of a dual identity, obsession, and the psychological unraveling of its protagonist.

🛒 A Kiss Before Dying Related Products

• A Kiss Before Dying (Collector’s Edition Blu-ray): Experience the chilling 1991 neo-noir thriller in stunning high-definition. This special edition includes behind-the-scenes featurettes, cast interviews, and a director’s commentary delving into the film’s dark psychological themes. A must-have for fans of psychological thrillers.
• A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin: Dive into the acclaimed novel that inspired the film. Ira Levin’s masterful storytelling weaves a taut tale of ambition, deceit, and murder, offering deeper character insights and narrative nuances not fully explored on screen.
• Fatal Attraction (Blu-ray): From the creators of ‘Fatal Attraction’ comes this thrilling suspense film. This classic 80s psychological thriller, also written by James Dearden, explores obsession and betrayal, making it a perfect companion piece for fans of ‘A Kiss Before Dying.’
• Classic Neo-Noir Movie Poster Set: Adorn your walls with a collection of high-quality prints featuring iconic artwork from classic neo-noir films, including ‘A Kiss Before Dying’ and other suspenseful thrillers that capture the genre’s dark, stylish aesthetic.

🎧 Soundtrack

A Kiss Before Dying features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Dangerous Love” – performed by Simon Stokes
• “Main Theme (Original Score)” – performed by Howard Shore

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

A Kiss Before Dying Part1 #movie #film#fypyoutube #fyp

Ever found yourself forgetting a movie’s plot and needing a quick refresher? This detailed recap of ‘A Kiss Before Dying’ is perfect for diving back into its twisty, suspenseful story, making sure you don’t miss any of the dark turns!

SRK’s Baazigar Movie Was Copied..🤨

Did you know that a major Bollywood hit, SRK’s ‘Baazigar,’ was actually inspired by ‘A Kiss Before Dying’? Check out this quick video to see the surprising connections and similarities between the two films – it’s fascinating to see how stories travel across cultures!

A Kiss Before Dying [1991] – Matt Dillon

If you’re a fan of Matt Dillon’s chilling performance or just love the aesthetic of ‘A Kiss Before Dying,’ this short fan edit is a cool, quick tribute to the film. It’s a neat little piece that highlights the movie’s vibe and stars!

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