Death Becomes Her is a dark comedy directed by Robert Zemeckis. Rivals played by Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn drink a mysterious potion promising eternal youth while fighting over a plastic surgeon played by Bruce Willis, only to discover immortality has consequences of repulsively unnatural ageing.
The film deals with themes of struggling with vanity and the costs of prioritising physical appearance. Death Becomes Her won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, a BAFTA for Best Visual Effects, and a Saturn Award for Best Special Effects.
“As seekers after cosmetic solutions have discovered throughout the ages, it doesn't solve every problem. Madeleine may look and feel fantastic again, but she still has to deal with Helen, whose desire to destroy her doesn't end with competition over looks, and who has been busy seducing Ernest." - Jennie Kermode, Eye for Film ★★★★★
Centre Stage at Any Age Double Bill | Saturday 16 August
Our BFI Young Programmers have paired Death Becomes Her with All About Eve as part of Double Take Festival 2026.
Curated by our BFI Young Programmers, Centre Stage at Any Age coveys how women are often pressured by the media to have plastic surgery and rejuvenation. The group do not aim to criticise these lifestyle choices, but rather to emphasise the theme that no one should feel pressured to do this, and that everyone should have the right to feel happy with their appearance and value, whatever their age.
"We chose Death Becomes Her and All About Eve because they perfectly encapsulate the sad consequences of what can happen when women prioritise youth and their looks above everything else. We want to pioneer the message that older women should be happy with how they look and deserve just as much respect and admiration as younger women.
Through showing Death Becomes Her, we want to show that obsessing about looking younger to the point of cosmetic procedures is a fruitless and unnecessary measure, and that people who really matter in your life will show how much you matter to them regardless of what you look like compared to other people. Similarly, All About Eve is widely regarded as one of the defining Hollywood films about female ambition and ageing."
15.00 - All About Eve (15)
18.00 - Death Becomes Her (15)
Double Take Festival 2026
Are you ready to see your favourite films through new eyes? Enjoy five days of double bills curated by 30 talented 16–19-year-olds from this year's BFI Film Academy Specialist Residential: Programming.
Our BFI Young Programmers invite you to think further with their classic film pairings, alongside live events from drag bingo to quizzes, special menus and much more.
Tickets and Prices
Save when you book both features in the double bill! While we suggest watching each set of films together as part of a double bill, tickets can be purchased separately.
Individual Screening Ticket Prices
On peak tickets are £12 (£10 concession). Off peak tickets are £10 (£8 concession)*.
CINE26 tickets: 16-26 year olds can access £6 tickets anytime with a free CINE26 membership.
Community tickets: All tickets to screenings in our Community Strand are £5.
Save with a Showroom Cinema Membership: Skip the £1.50 online booking fee and enjoy further discounts on Marilyn at 100 screenings. Save £1 on tickets as a Superior and Standard Members or 15% (up to £1.80) as a Flex Member. Sign up to a membership today from just £4.99 per month.
*On peak applies Mon-Fri after 5pm, and all day Saturday and Sunday. Concessions includes claimants, under 16s, students, over 60s, and Blue Light cardholders.
Double Bill Ticket Prices
Add both films in a double bill to your basket to get an automatic discount:
Adult: £18 per double bill (saving £4)
60+: £16 per double bill (saving £8)
Showroom Members: £12 per double bill (saving £10)
CINE26: £10 per double bill (saving £12)
Showroom Members including CINE26 must be logged into their account for the discount to apply. The Showroom Member discount applies to Superior, Standard, Flex and Supporter memberships.
Explore Double Take Festival 2026
Director Robert Zemeckis
Year 1992
Duration
1h 43m
Language English
Cast Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis