Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
In 1949, composer Roman Strauss is executed for the murder of his wife. In 1990s Los Angeles, a detective comes across a mute amnesiac woman who is somehow linked to the Strauss murder.
Dead Again is a stylish neo-noir that genuinely earns its distinctiveness. Kenneth Branagh directs with confident visual flair, blending black-and-white 1940s flashbacks with color present-day sequences in a way that feels purposeful rather than gimmicky — cinematography is a real strength. The film's novelty is high: its past-life regression premise, dual-role casting, and Hitchcock-homage tone create something genuinely singular in the early-90s thriller landscape. The plot is clever and twisty, though it strains credibility in places and the mechanics of the reincarnation conceit can feel contrived. Acting is solid — Branagh and Thompson have natural chemistry, and Derek Jacobi is memorable — but not exceptional across the board. The ending delivers a satisfying twist payoff, though once seen it loses much of its power on repeat viewing, keeping it at above-average rather than truly exceptional.