David Cronenberg found fame making pretty 'out there' films which, due to their content, never really received much mainstream attention, destined to become 'cult classics.' His most successful outing was the remake of 'The Fly,' but that was what most people would agree on was an outright 'horror.' Next he made 'Dead Ringers.' It's a story about a pair of identical twins (both played by Jeremy Irons thanks to some clever editing and camera tricks - no CGI here!) who are both brilliant surgeons and yet succumb to some pretty distasteful vices.It looked like Cronenberg had finally left his 'body horror' roots behind, moved through an outright horror film and was now making high-quality dramas with an A-list cast. And, for the first half of the film, you'd be right.If you've never seen any of Cronenberg's previous films, you may not get that weird feeling of 'normality' at just how ordinary the first half of this film is. We meet the twins. As I mentioned, they're both played excellently by Irons - making each of his characters instantly distinguish by their contrasting personalities. They go about their business of being a little too clever for their own good and it does have a 'regular' feeling about it all that would put it in with most other mainstream dramas.Then comes the second half. I know this is kind of a spoiler, but if you're really not into your 'gross-out' moments which involve some pretty disturbing 'body horror' moments then you're going to have to have a sick bag on standby for the second half of this film. It was like Cronenberg was just lulling us into a false sense of security and teasing us with the opening.Maybe this film is more of a horror than Cronenberg's previous efforts because there are no monsters here and nothing hideous that comes from a drug-fuelled nightmare. Everything nasty here comes from real people and Irons makes you believe that the two brothers are quite capable of acting out their crimes.It's certainly not an easy (or light) watch. It's almost two hours long and you really need to give it the respect it deserves by paying attention all the way through. So, if you're in the mood for something that doesn't involve superheroes flying around New York fighting aliens, then give this one a go (if you can stomach the second half!).

Good horror movies are the ones that mimic the reality as much as possible and the best ones are those that have their base dug into the psychology. ''Dead Ringers" is one of those flicks, giving us the truly twisted story about the identical twins that share their business and private life seemingly without remorse. Jeremy Irons portrays both characters with a terrifying ease as the script takes the similar dive into the world of true pathology and perversion, climaxing in a saddening end. ''Dead Ringers" is the best Cronenberg's flick and the role Jeremy Irons played in his career.

Dead Ringers (1988) *** (out of 4) Gynocologist and twin brothers Elliot and Beverly Mantle (Jeremy Irons) work together in their field and quickly become well-known for their brilliance. The two share a strong relationship with Elliot having the stronger personality but everything begins to unravel when they get involved with the same woman (Genevieve Bujold) and Beverly begins to fall in love.David Cronenberg's DEAD RINGERS is a rather dark and twisted tale of love. Yes, I think it's a love story about two brothers and their disastrous relationship, which leads to all sorts of horror. The film is one of the director's best works and it's rather amazing to see how well directed and acted it is. It should go without saying but Irons delivers a remarkable performance in not one but two roles.In actuality you could argue that he's actually playing even more roles than that. Both Elliot and Beverly are brilliantly brought to life by Irons who never struggles with either role. The most impressive thing is the downfall that the Beverly character goes through and it's amazing to see how well Irons plays it. In fact he's really playing three different characters and he pulls all of them off wonderfully. Not once does this feel like a gimmick because the actor is so wonderful. Bujold is also very good in her supporting role of the woman trying to make sense of what she's in.Cronenberg was known for some rather over-the-top and ghoulish things but you're really not going to find that here. Mentally the film is quite disturbing as there's a lot of suggestive violence but none of it is in your face and I think the film benefits from that. The film also benefits from the rather slow pacing as the director manages to bring you into the story, its characters and he certainly builds up a rather dark atmosphere.DEAD RINGERS has a lot of very good things going for it but for me the highlight is certainly the performance by Irons.

Dead Ringers is directed by David Cronenberg who also co-adapts the screenplay with Norman Snider from the book "Twins" written by Bari Wood and Jack Geasland. It stars Jeremy Irons and Genevieve Bujold. Music is by Howard Shore and cinematography by Peter Suschitzky.Identical twin gynaecologists Beverly and Elliott Mantle (Irons) run a high end fertility clinic in the city. Both in tune with each in spite of being different personalities, their world starts to fold inwards when Beverly falls in love with drug dependent actress Claire Niveau (Bujold).Inspired by the real life story of gynaecologist twins Cyril and Steve Marcus (who were both found dead from suicide brought about by drug addiction), Dead Ringers is an amalgamation of unsettling horror and icy cold playfulness; in other words a perfect canvas for auteur Cronenberg to paint some of his peccadilloes. Cronenberg doesn't need to be gory, gimmicky or schlocky, he instead utilises the characters on the page to spin a clinical character study. Themes pulsing throughout involve individuality, identity, misogyny, narcissism, eroticism and addiction, all played out in the mystical world of surgery and in-human metaphysics. The tempo never rises above a steady heart beat, rumbling along ominously, until we enter the home straight and the director delivers a devastating yet deeply moving conclusion.Backed by a stunning dual performance from Irons, and a ballsy one from Bujold, Dead Ringers is a film of genuine greatness and a piece of work that's alive with smart ideas. 8.5/10