Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence and language in stylish dual-time thriller.
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Dead Again
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In DEAD AGAIN, Grace (Emma Thompson) wakes up with no memory of her past. A priest at the orphanage that initially takes her in asks a favor of a friend, private eye Mike (Kenneth Branagh), to try to discover who she is. Placing an ad in the local paper leads to a lot of interest, and hypnotherapist Franklyn (Derek Jacobi) steps in to help her explore her past lives. While under hypnosis, she believes herself to be a pianist called Margaret who was murdered by her husband in the 1940s. Nobody can tell if it's real or not, but what is real is her developing feelings for Mike, who could be her savior, or her downfall.
Is It Any Good?
This ambitious but sometimes silly follow-up to Branagh's directorial debut, Henry V, is a tense thriller kept afloat by its impressive cast and striking aesthetics more than the convoluted story itself. Dead Again feels like a clunky title for the complex plot that unfolds, which runs a parallel love story between the 1990s (in color) and the 1940s (in black and white), and throws in past lives and past traumas to boot. Thompson and Branagh are reliably watchable in the leading roles, while Robin Williams stands out in his supporting appearance as a disgraced therapist. Things can feel cheesy and predictable at times, and experimental and twist-heavy at others. Where the movie stands out is its stylized, high-contrast, black-and-white segments, full of ominous shadows, billowing fabrics, and thunder and lightning. There's plenty of tension, but the schlocky side leaves it feeling a little lighter than it otherwise might be. Still, fans of a complex thriller or indeed the (at the time) husband and wife team at its core will find plenty to like here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the past and present are linked in Dead Again. What does the movie say about past lives, karma, and choice? How did these elements affect the plot? Do you think any aspects of our lives are predestined? Do you think we have the power to step out of toxic patterns? Why, or why not?
Discuss the violence in the movie. Do you think it was the right level, or was there too much? What are some of the moments that stood out as particularly scary or gory for you? Would the movie be as impactful without the violence? What's the impact of media and screen violence on children?
The movie moves between two timelines—the 1990s and the 1940s—and uses the same actors in both. How does it signify which timeline we are in at any given time? Do some of the aesthetic choices help to make it clear? Did you get confused between characters at any point? Can you think of other films that have multiple timelines? How do they compare?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. What does it contribute? Is a certain kind of language expected in a film like this?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 23, 1991
- On DVD or streaming : June 27, 2000
- Cast : Emma Thompson , Kenneth Branagh , Andy Garcia
- Director : Kenneth Branagh
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 107 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and violence
- Award : BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee
- Last updated : June 29, 2026
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