Sisters Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Siamese twins cause a murder, a nosy neighbor investigates, and everyone ends up questioning reality, while a couch becomes a silent accomplice.

🍿 Sisters: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Opening: A Game Show and a Deadly Date

The film opens with a surreal game show called ‘Peeping Toms,’ establishing themes of voyeurism. Philip and Danielle meet and win a prize, leading to a dinner date. This sets the stage for the film’s central conflict and introduces the key players.

The Murder and the Cover-Up

Back at Danielle’s apartment, Philip is brutally murdered. A nosy neighbor, Grace, witnesses the crime. However, Danielle’s ex-husband, Emil, arrives and helps her cover it up. This establishes the core mystery and sets Grace on her investigation.

Grace’s Investigation

Grace becomes determined to prove that a murder occurred, despite the police’s skepticism. She hires a private investigator, Joseph Larch, and they uncover the secrets surrounding Danielle’s past and her relationship with Emil. This part of the plot emphasizes the thriller elements.

The Mental Institution and Hypnosis

Grace’s investigation leads her to a mental institution connected to Emil. There, she discovers the truth about Danielle’s twin sister and the psychological manipulation at play. Emil uses hypnosis to try to convince Grace that she imagined the murder. This dramatically escalates the conflict.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Danielle Breton (Margot Kidder): A model haunted by her separated Siamese twin, struggling with mental illness and a possessive ex-husband.
• Grace Collier (Jennifer Salt): A determined reporter who witnesses a murder and investigates despite facing disbelief and manipulation.
• Emil Breton (William Finley): Danielle’s ex-husband and a doctor, who is complicit in covering up the murder and controlling Danielle.
• Phillip Woode (Lisle Wilson): The unsuspecting man who becomes Danielle’s lover and a victim of her alter ego.
• Joseph Larch (Charles Durning): A private investigator hired to help Grace uncover the truth behind the murder.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Grace Collier: “I saw a murder!” – Grace frantically tries to convince the skeptical police that she witnessed a murder in the apartment across from hers.
• Danielle Breton: “Dominique doesn’t like me being with other people.” – Danielle explains her sister’s possessiveness and hints at the underlying psychological issues.
• Arlene: “Did you know that the germs can come through the wires? I never call and I *never* answer. It’s a good way to get sick. Very, very sick. That’s how I got so sick! Someone called me on the telephone!” – Arlene, a mental patient, shares her paranoid theories about telephones, adding to the film’s unsettling atmosphere.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $500,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $318,348

💥 Sisters Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, ‘Sisters’ messed with my head! The split-screen scenes were so clever, making me feel like I was in two places at once. Margot Kidder was amazing, totally believable as both twins. That dream sequence near the end? Absolutely bonkers, but I couldn’t look away! It’s creepy, weird, and totally unforgettable. I’ll definitely be thinking about that couch for a while…

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Brian De Palma”
  • “Hitchcock enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers who enjoy psychological thrillers”
  • “Those interested in 1970s cinema”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Disturbing psychological themes”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Film Critic Daily: “De Palma’s early homage to Hitchcock is stylish and unsettling. Kidder shines as the troubled twins, and the split-screen technique adds a unique layer of suspense. The film falters slightly in its later half but remains a chilling thriller.
• Indie Film Review: “Sisters showcases De Palma’s flair for visual storytelling and suspense. While the plot leans into familiar tropes, the execution elevates it. The Bernard Herrmann score amplifies the film’s eerie atmosphere, making it a standout thriller.
• Cult Movie Corner: “A cult classic for a reason. Sisters blends horror, mystery, and psychological drama effectively. Though some aspects haven’t aged perfectly, it remains a must-see for fans of the genre, thanks to its unique style and memorable performances.

Audience Reactions

Margot Kidder’s performance as both twins is phenomenal!: Viewers praise the film’s suspenseful atmosphere and unique visual style.

Bernard Herrmann’s score elevates the movie to another level.: Many agree the score contributes significantly to the film’s overall creepiness.

Overall Consensus: A stylish and suspenseful thriller with memorable performances and a haunting atmosphere, though some plot elements may feel dated.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Brian De Palma was inspired by an article in Life magazine about Soviet conjoined twins Masha and Dasha Krivoshlyapova.”
• “Bernard Herrmann came out of retirement to compose the score, after De Palma had cut the film to another Herrmann score. When De Palma showed it to the composer, Herrmann responded, ‘Young man, I cannot watch your film while I’m listening to Marnie.'”
• “The film makes extensive use of split-screen techniques, notably during the murder sequence, to show simultaneous perspectives and heighten suspense.”

🖥️ How to Watch Sisters?

As of today, you can rent or buy Sisters (1972) from platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video. Check local listings for broadcast availability and streaming on services like The Criterion Channel which sometimes showcases De Palma’s early work.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Sisters, you might like these similar films:

• Psycho (1960): Shares themes of split personality, murder, and unreliable narration. De Palma heavily references Hitchcock’s style and plot elements.
• Rear Window (1954): Like ‘Sisters’, this Hitchcock classic involves a protagonist who witnesses a crime from their apartment window and must investigate.
• What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962): Explores the psychological torment and dependency between sisters, with themes of jealousy, madness, and repressed trauma.
• Black Swan (2010): Features a character struggling with a dual nature and distorted perceptions of reality, mirroring the psychological breakdown in ‘Sisters’.

🛒 Sisters Related Products

• Sisters (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A pristine, restored version of the film with extensive bonus content, including interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. Features new cover art and booklet.
• Brian De Palma: Interviews (Conversations with Filmmakers Series): In-depth interviews offering insights into his career, techniques, and the making of ‘Sisters.’ Delves into his influences and unique directorial style.
• Retro Movie Poster – Sisters (1973): High-quality reproduction of the original theatrical poster, capturing the film’s iconic imagery. Perfect for decorating a home theater or office.
• Split Screen: De Palma, Argento, and the Art of Cinematic Intrigue: An interactive e-book examining the use of split-screen techniques in suspense films, with a detailed analysis of its use in ‘Sisters’

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Main Title” – performed by Bernard Herrmann
• “Phillip Is Killed” – performed by Bernard Herrmann
• “Dream One” – performed by Bernard Herrmann

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

🤨 FAQ

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