Over My Dead Body

Over My Dead Body

Year: 1995

Runtime: 104 mins

Language: German

Director: Rainer Matsutani

RomanceComedy

After a cynical, ruthless womanizer dies, a supernatural bargain offers him a second chance: if he can restore the belief in love of three women he’s wronged within three days, he will be brought back to life. The film follows his desperate race against time to atone for his past misdeeds and win back their trust.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Over My Dead Body (1995)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Over My Dead Body (1995). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

The events take place in a contemporary urban setting, blending modern relationships with a supernatural premise. The characters operate in a world of current social dynamics—families, dating, and activism—while the afterlife bargain adds a timeless fairy-tale twist. The tone merges humor with peril, all within a familiar, present-day timeframe.

Location

Styx ferry, Rita's coal cellar, Amor matchmaking agency

The story mainly unfolds on a mythic Styx ferry, a liminal space where the dead negotiate a second chance. It also centers on Rita's coal cellar and the urban office of Amor, grounding the supernatural premise in tangible, contemporary locations. The ferry scenes juxtapose otherworldly travel with everyday city life, creating a surreal juxtaposition between heaven, hell, and the living world.

🗺️ Afterlife 🚢 Ferry setting 🏚️ Basement feel 🧭 Surreal spaces

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:03

Main Characters – Over My Dead Body (1995)

Meet the key characters of Over My Dead Body (1995), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Fred Wischnewski (Christoph M. Ohrt)

A selfish, macho owner of the Amor matchmaking agency who underestimates the consequences of his infidelity. After his murder, he negotiates with the ferryman for a chance to return to life by making three women happy within three days, revealing a wily mind that slowly grows warmer toward others. His arc traces a reluctant journey from narcissism to responsibility, driven by love for his daughter and, eventually, Rita.

🎭 Drama ❤️ Romance 🧭 Supernatural

Rita Hauser (Katja Riemann)

A tough, compassionate activist who rescues animals and opens her home to the protagonist. She embodies practical grit and a growing tenderness as she helps Fred pursue his tasks, while also challenging his old habits. Her alliance with Fred becomes a catalyst for his evolution and a longing for stability.

🐾 Animal rights 💕 Love 🕊️ Redemption

Charlotte Wischnewski (Ulrike Folkerts)

Fred's wife, business partner, and a calculating force who wants control of the company. She hunts for Fred with a hired killer and ultimately dies by her own poison arrow, becoming a tragic obstacle and catalyst for the final twist. Her drive for possession tests the boundaries between love, loyalty, and vengeance.

💼 Power ❤️ Obsession 🗡️ Danger

Lisa Wischnewski (Julia Brendler)

Fred's neglected sixteen-year-old daughter who falls under the clutches of pimps. Her rescue becomes a central motivation for Fred's redemption arc. Lisa embodies innocence at risk, resilience, and the need for a responsible father.

👧 Family 🛡️ Protection 💜 Resilience

Frosch (Felix Eitner)

Charlotte's ally who is tasked with tracking Fred. He adds the film's noir-ish energy and dark humor as he navigates the dangerous pursuit and the surreal afterlife elements. His role blends menace with reluctant loyalty.

🕵️ Mystery 🐸 Animal-themed 😈 Antagonist

Killer (Udo Kier)

The professional killer hired by Charlotte who 'kills' Fred, only to cross paths with him again after the pact. The killer embodies the mortal dangers that intersect with the film's supernatural premise. His fate becomes entangled in the protagonist's quest for a second chance.

🔪 Assassin 😲 Surreal 💥 Threat

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:03

Major Themes – Over My Dead Body (1995)

Explore the central themes of Over My Dead Body (1995), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love and Redemption

Fred’s quest to make three women happy drives his transformation from a self-centered figure to someone capable of genuine care. The relationships with Rita, Lisa, and Barbara test forgiveness, selflessness, and the limits of redemption. Across humor and danger, love becomes the catalyst for personal growth and truth.

🕊️ Life, Death, and Bargain

A ferryman and a life-for-life pact turn death into a negotiating game, mixing heaven, hell, and earthly consequences. The story uses humor to soften high-stakes situations while exploring what it means to earn another chance. The premise confronts the costs of second chances and the moral weight of one’s choices.

👨‍👧 Family and Responsibility

Fred’s neglect of his sixteen-year-old daughter Lisa becomes the emotional engine of his redemption. Restoring family bonds anchors his decisions and ultimately drives the climax. The film ties romantic reconciliation to parental accountability and care.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:03

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Over My Dead Body Summary

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Over My Dead Body Summary

Over My Dead Body Timeline

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Over My Dead Body Timeline

Over My Dead Body Spoiler-Free Summary

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Over My Dead Body Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Over My Dead Body

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