A Kiss Before Dying

A Kiss Before Dying

Year: 1991

Runtime: 94 min

Language: English

Director: James Dearden

DramaMysteryThrillerCrime

Driven by ambition, college student Jonathan Corliss schemes to gain favor with a wealthy man, manipulating those around him. His plans take a dark turn when his pregnant girlfriend dies, and her death is ruled a suicide. Her twin sister, however, suspects foul play and begins to investigate. As she digs deeper, Jonathan's carefully constructed lies are threatened, and he finds himself trapped in a dangerous game of deceit and deadly consequences.

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Timeline & Setting – A Kiss Before Dying (1991)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Kiss Before Dying (1991). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1987

Set in 1987, the film situates itself in a late 1980s urban landscape where wealth, status, and ambition drive dangerous choices. The events unfold over several months, weaving a web of deception around Dorothy's death. The era's corporate and social milieu underscores the high-stakes world the characters inhabit.

Location

Philadelphia, New York, Pittsburgh

The story unfolds across Philadelphia, New York, and Pittsburgh, grounding the drama in affluent settings and industrial towns. In Philadelphia, the pivotal rooftop confrontation near the City Hall area and the license bureau ties the tragedy to the Carlsson family. In New York, Ellen operates at Castle House, a shelter, while the pursuit of Dorothy's killer leads through the city streets and river edges. Pittsburgh anchors the Carlsson legacy with Thor as the industrial patriarch and the origin of the family fortune.

🏙️ Urban settings 🏛️ City halls and mansions 🚆 Train routes

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:25

Main Characters – A Kiss Before Dying (1991)

Meet the key characters of A Kiss Before Dying (1991), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dorothy Carlsson (Dorothy) — played by Sean Young

Dorothy is the heiress to the Carlsson fortune and a central figure whose apparent suicide sets the mystery in motion. Her pregnancy adds urgency to the plot and deepens the motive for murder. She embodies the tension between public image and private vulnerability.

💎 Heiress 🕵️‍♀️ Mystery 🤰 Pregnancy

Ellen Carlsson

Dorothy's identical twin sister, skeptical of the official explanation. She pursues the truth by tracing clues from Dorothy's final days and challenging the surface narrative. Her determination drives the investigation forward and brings the killer into clearer view.

🕵️‍♀️ Investigator 👯 Twin sisters 🏛️ Family secrets

Jonathan Corliss / Jay Faraday

A drifter who steals another man's identity to infiltrate the Carlsson family and seize its wealth. He orchestrates Dorothy's murder to secure his plan and later eliminates a potential witness to maintain his cover. His calculated deception unravels as Ellen closes in and the truth is revealed.

💰 Ambition 🗝️ Identity theft 🗡️ Murder

Thor Carlsson

Dorothy's father and a powerful copper magnate who guards his family's name and fortune. He initially interprets Dorothy's death as a suicide born of shame, shaping the family's response. His position as a patriarch anchors the film's themes of wealth, legacy, and protection of reputation.

💼 Wealth 🛡️ Family legacy 🏭 Industry

Detective Dan Corelli

A Philadelphia detective assigned to the case who remains skeptical of the suicide verdict. He gradually connects clues that challenge the official narrative and collaborates with Ellen as the truth emerges. His measured approach contrasts with the killer's confidence and the heroine's persistence.

🔎 Investigator 🧭 Clues 🕵️‍♂️ Investigation

Patricia Farren

Dorothy's friend whose disappearance escalates the investigation. She becomes a victim to the killer's attempts to erase evidence and mislead authorities. Her absence intensifies the search for Dorothy's true killer and exposes the danger of those who know too much.

💔 Betrayal 🗝️ Hidden motives 🧭 Secrets

Tommy Roussell

Dorothy's former boyfriend whose involvement is recalled as part of the case. The killer uses forged circumstances to misrepresent the past and complicate Ellen's search for the truth. His role illustrates how past relationships can intersect with present danger.

💔 Love lost 🧩 Misdirection 🗝️ Identity

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:25

Major Themes – A Kiss Before Dying (1991)

Explore the central themes of A Kiss Before Dying (1991), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♀️ Identity & Deception

Jonathan Corliss assumes the identity of Jay Faraday to infiltrate the Carlsson circle and pursue the fortune. The truth behind who people really are remains hidden as inconsistencies surface, challenging the characters to question appearances. Deception becomes a tool for control and survival in a world ruled by wealth. The suspense hinges on distinguishing real identities from faked ones.

💰 Ambition & Murder

Jonathan's desire to secure the Carlsson fortune drives him toward murder and calculated manipulation. Dorothy's unexpected pregnancy heightens the stakes, making his plan riskier and more lethal. The narrative shows how ambition can corrupt relationships and trigger violent acts. The consequences ripple through family ties and personal loyalties.

🔎 Investigation & Truth

Ellen relentlessly pursues leads, connecting Dorothy's wedding sketch and old clues to uncover the truth. Detective Corelli embodies cautious inquiry, gradually challenging the suicide verdict. The investigation peels back layers of deceit and reveals the killer's true identity. The pursuit culminates in a revelation that shatters the illusion of a perfect family.

💔 Love & Betrayal

Romantic trust is weaponized as Jay pretends to love Ellen while pursuing wealth. Ellen's trust is broken as the killer's true nature comes to light. The marriage that seems to offer security becomes a cover for a brutal scheme. The story contrasts intimate betrayal with the cold calculations of greed.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:25

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A Kiss Before Dying Summary

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