Why “Death Becomes Her” Feels So Relevant Right Now
The obsession with youth and the way “beauty” becomes an extremely exclusive resource for the elite, often symbolized through some kind of magical potion.
It’s curious how Death Becomes Her (1992) has been appearing more and more on my timeline. On X, gays have started asking for a remake starring Lindsay Lohan and Hilary Duff. Nicola Peltz also appeared in the series The Beauty wearing a piece that references Isabella Rossellini’s character—featured both in the 1992 film and in Ryan Murphy’s series.
Last week, Love Magazine also revealed its new cover starring Gigi Hadid, in another visual homage to Death Becomes Her. For the LOVE: DEAD SERIOUS issue, the magazine explores just how far we’re willing to go in the pursuit of perfection.
Stepping back a bit, in 2024 Death Becomes Her got a Broadway musical adaptation, and Sabrina Carpenter also used the film as a major reference in the music video for Taste. Even in The Substance (which isn’t directly connected to the film) you can still see how both stories circle around similar ideas: the obsession with youth and the way “beauty” becomes an extremely exclusive resource for the elite, often symbolized through some kind of magical potion.
The Longevity Economy
The camp absurdity in all of these works highlights what could be called a “longevity economy”, one built on biotechnology and the promise that maybe even mortality itself could eventually be bought. The “potion” starts to feel a lot less fantasy-like when you look at the growing investment in longevity research and anti-aging startups.
Longevity biotech is no longer some niche scientific experiment. It’s becoming a booming industry with massive potential, projected to reach $600 billion by 2026.
Between 2023 and 2024, we also saw a surge in the “pro-aging” movement (which is still around), with brands across multiple industries embracing representation for the 60+ audience. But even that moment didn’t last very long. Soon after, Kris Jenner showed up with a noticeably new face, reminding us that youth is still the ultimate goal.
The Immortality of the Elite
Beauty has always served the interests of dominant classes, acting as a way to control social capital by defining which appearances are considered desirable. But when a certain aesthetic becomes too popular and stops being exclusive, it also loses part of its symbolic value. The Kardashian-Jenner family might be the clearest example of that dynamic.
In that sense, Death Becomes Her can also be read as a warning about privatized immortality. The potion is never offered to the public. It circulates only among elites—where beauty and money rule.
Amei! eu amo quando filmes ditam momentos culturais e acho super simbolico o resgate desse em específico pra conectar com o agora. tem arte que mesmo sem querer consegue estar a frente do seu tempo