Dead Ringer

Dead Ringer

Year: 1964

Runtime: 116 min

Language: English

DramaThrillerCrime

Driven by revenge, a working-class woman murders her wealthy twin sister and assumes her identity. She quickly discovers that impersonating the deceased woman is far more challenging and dangerous than she initially thought, as she navigates the complexities of her sister’s life and the attention of those around her.

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Timeline & Setting – Dead Ringer (1964)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dead Ringer (1964). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1960s

The present timeline sits in the early 1960s, built on a World War II–era romance between the sisters and Francesco DeLorca. The backstory of the sisters’ feud anchors the plot, while postwar glamour and social expectations shape their choices. The contrast between wartime loyalties and postwar ambition provides the mood and stakes of the narrative.

Location

DeLorca Mansion, Cocktail lounge above the bar, City police station, Courthouse

Most of the action unfolds inside the DeLorca mansion and the upstairs cocktail lounge above the bar, where the twins’ scheming and confrontations play out. The mansion embodies wealth and social status, with its rooms becoming stages for deception and confrontation. The story moves to the police station and courthouse as the investigation tightens around the impostor and the truth behind the murders begins to surface.

🏰 Opulent mansion 🕰 Postwar setting 🎭 Intrigue

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:34

Main Characters – Dead Ringer (1964)

Meet the key characters of Dead Ringer (1964), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Margaret DeLorca (Bette Davis)

Margaret is the elder twin whose social charm and wealth secure her status. She uses cunning and manipulation to maintain control, including a past pregnancy trick to steal Francesco DeLorca. Her presence anchors the world of luxury and danger at the DeLorca mansion, and her murder becomes the pivot for Edith's impersonation.

👑 Wealth 🎭 Deception 🪪 Identity

Edith DeLorca (Bette Davis)

Edith is Margaret's ruthless twin, driven by revenge and a hunger for wealth. She assassins Margaret and assumes her identity to seize the mansion and her fortune, orchestrating a flawless facade until the truth surfaces. Her calculated disguise and willingness to manipulate those around her propel the suspense.

🎭 Deception 🪞 Reflection 💎 Wealth

Jim (Karl Malden)

Jim is a police detective who has been seeing Edith. He embodies skepticism and moral resolve as he pieces together the clues around Margaret's death. His investigation, including the exhumation of Frank's body, drives the pursuit of truth and the danger Edith faces as her lie corrodes.

🕵️ Investigation ⚖️ Justice 🧭 Mystery

Frank DeLorca (Philip Carey)

Frank is the wealthy American military officer whose death triggers the central mystery. His fortune and status set the stakes for the sisters' rivalry. His poisoning and the ensuing investigation reveal the hidden tensions behind the glamorous DeLorca façade.

💎 Wealth 🏰 Elite 🗝 Secret

Tony (Peter Lawford)

Tony is Margaret's lover who becomes entangled in the murder plot with Edith. He bargains for jewels and becomes a casualty of Edith's ruse when he is killed after a confrontation. His presence heightens the tension between desire, loyalty, and betrayal.

💬 Betrayal 💎 Wealth 🗝 Secrecy

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:34

Major Themes – Dead Ringer (1964)

Explore the central themes of Dead Ringer (1964), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🪞 Identity

The two sisters share a face but pursue different lives, and Edith's impersonation of Margaret drives the drama. The plot explores how appearance and social performance can mask true intentions and loyalties. The masquerade frays as clues and emotions threaten to expose the ruse.

💀 Murder & Deception

Edith's plan to murder Frank, and the subsequent efforts to maintain the disguise, show how deceit escalates into deadly consequences. The fake suicide and the possession of Margaret's identity become weapons in a dangerous game between sisters. The unraveling culminates in violent confrontation.

⚖️ Justice & Investigation

Jim's investigation digs into the arsenic poisoning and the truth behind the impersonation. He challenges Edith's facade and ultimately confronts the reality of the case, despite initial disbelief. The courtroom and the execution scene frame the final judgement.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:34

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Unlock the Full Story of Dead Ringer

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Dead Ringer Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Dead Ringer, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Dead Ringer Summary

Dead Ringer Timeline

Track the full timeline of Dead Ringer with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Dead Ringer Timeline

More About Dead Ringer

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