HOME / ENTERTAINMENT / TV

'Dead Ringers' on Amazon Prime: Here's how reboot series differs from David Cronenberg's cult film

The plot of the original film featured a male lead and his twin brother who run the same practice

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: With too many remakes and very little quality original content coming out these days, it is no wonder Hollywood is tapping every classic imaginable to sustain itself. In the latest, Amazon Prime is bringing back a cult genre movie - David Cronenberg's 1988 horror thriller 'Dead Ringers'. The psychological thriller starring Jeremy Irons as identical twin gynecologists has seen a popularity boom over the decades. The plot of the original film featured a male lead and his twin brother who run the same practice. Elliot (Jeremy Irons) is attracted to many of his patients, but when he wins them over, he gives the woman over to Beverly (also Irons), without the woman knowing the difference. But things take a turn when Beverly falls hard for one of the patients, Claire (Genevieve Bujold), and when she inadvertently cheats on him, he slips into a state of madness.

Now, Prime Video is doing a reboot of the cult classic, with the lead being two identical twin woman gynecologists, Elliot and Beverly Mantle, who "perform ethically questionable procedures on infertile women." 

ALSO READ

'Dead Ringers' on Prime Video: Release date and how to watch psychological drama series

'Dead Ringers' on Amazon Prime Video: Rachel Weisz recounts love for David Cronenberg's 1988 thriller

What is the 'Dead Ringers' reboot about?

Here’s the official synopsis for the remake: "Dead Ringers stars Rachel Weisz playing the double-lead roles of Elliot and Beverly Mantle, twins who share everything: drugs, lovers, and an unapologetic desire to do whatever it takes – including pushing the boundaries of medical ethics – in an effort to challenge antiquated practices and bring women’s health care to the forefront." So, aside from the overarching gender swap, it sounds quite similar to the original. Prime Video has retained the OG title too. That said, it would be fair to expect a plot slightly different from the 1988 hit. After all, what's the point of a reboot if it's an exact replica?

Why 'Dead Ringers' should be on your binge list

'Dead Ringers' drops on Prime Video this Friday, April 21. All six episodes will be instantly available, making it the ideal weekend binge-watch. The cast of the reboot series includes Rachel Weisz, Britne Oldford, Poppy Liu, Michael Chernus, and Jennifer Ehle.