Which Death Becomes Her Is Better? Movie or Musical

[MrWilliams1987]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 4:59pm

Which one is better in "Death Becomes Her?" Movie or Musical?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 5:22pm

The movie. 
 

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. 

[DaveyG]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 5:31pm

The movie, no contest. 

[Kad]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 6:09pm

I think the musical improves on the movie in quite a few ways, in terms of plot and structure. I think it's the "better" piece overall. 

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 6:09pm

The musical.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 6:32pm

Musical is far more entertaining and we discussed this after and all seem to agree that the musical is better than the movie!

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 6:55pm

I love them both.

The movie has two Academy Award winners behaving badly and creating an indelible mark on queer pop culture as an eminently quotable cult film.

The musical takes that, pays homage, elaborates on it by leaning fully into the camp, and manages to be a great musical comedy with marvelous stage effects that enhance the show, rather than overpower it to cover up shortcomings.

[ShowBro]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 8:04pm

The movie!! The Streep VS Hawn energy was iconic — Simard and Hilty could absolutely never!! Also, where was the glow-up / transformation with Hilty?? I could never get past this part to suspend disbelief. She started and ended the show the same damn way. 

 

[pablitonizer]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 8:37pm

The movie has 2 amazing leading ladies, I mean there's no discussion there.

However, I feel the musical took it to another level and fixed parts of the movie that felt weird to me. Earnest being an actual murderer and walking free always left me a bad taste. Then Helen never getting her chance to go against Madeline full force. The musical makes it all about the 2 ladies which feels more cohesive imo. Also the ending of the musical has a pretty philosophical view when saying you get eternal life but you'll never get an ending. I think it feels closer to the original movie ending that Goldie talked about in an interview. However, the movie ends more on a comedic tone. I think story-wise the musical is better

Updated On: 6/12/25 at 08:37 PM

[Daisy Crumpler]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 1:05pm

I think both the movie and musical start coasting once both ladies realize they have drunk the potion, but the musical has a more satisfying conclusion. It's been a while since I've seen the film all the way through, but does Ernest get drunk in the "second act" and start hallucinating talking inanimate objects in that too? 

Updated On: 6/13/25 at 01:05 PM

[JSquared2]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 1:09pm

pablitonizer said: "The movie has 2 amazing leading ladies, I mean there's no discussion there.

However, I feel the musical took it to another level and fixed parts of the movie that felt weird to me. Earnest being anactualmurderer and walking freealways left me a bad taste. ThenHelen never getting her chanceto go against Madeline full force. The musical makes it allabout the 2 ladies which feels more cohesive imo. Also the ending of the musical has apretty philosophical view when saying you geteternal life but you'll never get an ending.I think it feels closer to the original movie ending that Goldie talked about in an interview. However, the movie ends more on a comedic tone. I think story-wise the musical is better"

 

What murder does Ernest commit in the film (and then get away with)?

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 2:32pm

What murder does Ernest commit in the film (and then get away with)?

In the film, he’s one who pushes Madeline down the stairs, initially killing her. It’s the musical, it is Helen who pushes her down the stairs. 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 2:42pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "
What murder does Ernest commit in the film (and then get away with)?

In the film, he’sone who pushes Madeline down the stairs, initially killing her. It’s the musical, it is Helen who pushes her down the stairs."

 

If they can't "die", there's no murder.

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 2:56pm

His intentions, as in the musical, is to kill her. It’s not until she rebounds that everyone becomes aware that she can’t die. 

[tomorrowBIGLITES]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 3:43pm

The musical is a better comedy. It’s funnier, it’s more surprising, and it knows exactly what it is and how to play to the audience.

The movie is a camp cult classic so I love it but I also see why it’s not great? Like it’s “great” but it’s not actually good. Gen X and Millennial gays just enjoy it cause you can’t stop them from enjoying what they love.

 

but I do think the musical IMPROVES upon the film.

 

[pablitonizer]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 4:58pm

JSquared2 said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "
What murder does Ernest commit in the film (and then get away with)?

In the film, he’sone who pushes Madeline down the stairs, initially killing her. It’s the musical, it is Helen who pushes her down the stairs."



If they can't "die", there's no murder.

"

You do understand that Earnest pushes her with the intention of killing her, right? He does not know she's unable to die. So, yes, he's a murderer that walks free in the end

[Owen22]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 6:52pm

...neither...

[Mskuphantm]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 7:11pm

Both are their bests in their own mediums.

The film gives full camp, with an amazing score by Alan Silvestri, MerylStreep plays into the camp.  The film will always Have a nostalgic factor to it plus it's special effects for the time was revolutionary.

The musical does the same with the camp gives a bit more pathos, with a score that gives musical homages to Silvestris score, while making it its own. Plus the ending is, from what I have heard from Goldie Hawns interviews, gives an ending similar to what was going to be for the film.....if they choose casting right; the Broadway version can last for quite some time too

[KarenValentine'sheadband]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 7:12pm

Film. 

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 11:18pm

Claree, are you high?  THE MOVIE.

[MagicalMusical]

Posted: 6/15/25 at 12:11am

I am saving money up to hopefully see the musical soon, but while the best line is in both the movie and musical, "NOW a warning?!", only the movie has my second favorite line, "Exactly which part of the plan were you unclear on?"

Every time I've heard the line while watching the film I crack up.

By the way, I actually feel the movie is good. It's highly, highly entertaining with a great message by the end.

Updated On: 6/15/25 at 12:11 AM

[pablitonizer]

Posted: 6/15/25 at 8:56am

MagicalMusical said: "I am saving money up to hopefully see the musical soon, but while the best line is in both the movie and musical, "NOWa warning?!", only the movie has my second favorite line, "Exactly which part of the plan were you unclear on?"

Every time I've heard the line while watching the film I crack up.

By the way, I actually feel the movie is good. It's highly, highly entertaining with a great message by the end."

That line is gold lol! The way Goldie delivers it after Earnest's full explanation is superb

[MagicalMusical]

Posted: 6/17/25 at 12:41am

pablitonizer said: "MagicalMusical said: "...only the movie has my second favorite line, "Exactly which part of the plan were you unclear on?"

Every time I've heard the line while watching the film I crack up."

That line is gold lol! The way Goldie delivers it after Earnest's full explanation is superb"

I fully agree! So nice to know you feel the same way!