When Does "Death Becomes Her" (1992) Take Place?
"Death Becomes Her" is a horror comedy film written by Martin Donovan with David Koepp and Robert Zemeckis that released July 31st, 1992. So when is "Death Becomes Her" set?
It takes place in the year:
We know this because a relative time setting title card "ANOTHER 7 YEARS LATER" appears at the beginning of the main action and the end of a scene that must take place in July of 1984 AD. So it's probably July of 1991 AD.
1991 AD
We know this because a relative time setting title card "ANOTHER 7 YEARS LATER" appears at the beginning of the main action and the end of a scene that must take place in July of 1984 AD. So it's probably July of 1991 AD.
7.1984 + 7 = 7.1991.
Additionally, there's a multi-part prologue that begins the story .
1984 - 7 = 1977.
[HOWEVER, the very first shot includes a time and place setting title card reading: "BROADWAY 1978". This can be considered a production mistake but it could be 1978 AD.]
After an unclear amount of time, . Though in 1991 AD, Madeline Ashton says to Helen Sharp, "I don't believe it! Helen, darling, 12 years! 12 long years!" strongly implying 12 years have passed since they last saw one another. This could mean the dual "7 YEARS LATER" title cards are incorrect (7+7=14, not 12) or that the final moment .
? we see a character taken to a mental health facility. Immediately afterward, their file folder is labeled with some basic information, among which is "JANUARY 14 1984" next to "ADMITTED" so we know it is currently January of 1984 AD. Furthermore, this segment begins with a relative time setting title card that reads "7 YEARS LATER".
1.1984 - 7 = 1977.
then "6 months of therapy, you're not even one pound lighter"... It is must be July of 1984 AD.
1.1984 + 6 months = 7.1984.
Finally, there's an epilogue that begins with yet another title card saying "37 YEARS LATER" in white on black. Though this does not seem to be confirmable with context.
1991 + 37 = 2028.
It was adapted as a stage-musical in 2024.
