Dead Ringers reviews, ratings and cast list: Everything you need to know about Rachel Weisz twins thriller

Prime Video and Rachel Weisz's chilling remake of Dead Ringers is winning critical acclaim and rave reviews from viewers.

A remake of the classic 1988 David Cronenberg movie, Dead Ringers is modern take on the story of identical twins who share everything in their lives, even lovers.

Taking on the lead roles, played by Jeremy Irons in the original film, is Hollywood star Weisz.

Here is everything you need to know about the Prime Video TV series, including the reviews, ratings and full cast list.

Dead Ringers - First reviews

The first reviews are in for Rachel Weisz's Dead Ringers and it is a double thumbs up from the critics for the dark chiller.

Weisz has come in for particular praise for her lead performance as the twin sisters Elliot and Beverly, which The Hollywood Reporter described as "a towering central performance".

The Guardian bills Weisz's performance as a "knockout", describing the series as "fierce, funny and properly feminist".

Den of Geek adds that they considered the David Cronenberg film close to perfect, which makes the success of this TV series all the more surprising.

"Against the odds then, this version is excellent," they writer. "Expanding on the themes, going hard on the horror and showcasing the talent of Rachel Weisz who scorches the screen throughout."

TIME magazine goes as far as to suggest the TV series might have outdone the original film.

"Dead Ringers works spectacularly. In fact, it feels even more subversive than the original, a ripped-from-the-headlines psychosexual horror odyssey," they write.

Dead Ringers teaser - First look at Rachel Weisz as twins

Prime Video dropped the first teaser trailer for Dead Ringers (1 March) offering us a glimspe at Rachel Weisz in the double-lead roles of Elliot and Beverly Mantle.

The chilling first clip is soundtracked by Blondie's Heart of Glass.

What is the Dead Ringers release date?

Dead Ringers is available now on Prime Video.

How many episodes of Dead Ringers are there?

Rachel Weisz’s Dead Ringers has six episodes.

All six episodes are available to stream now.

What is Dead Ringers about?

Weisz plays double-lead as Elliot and Beverly Mantle, twins who enjoy the same things, including successful careers but also vices like drugs and lovers.

The sisters have an unapologetic desire to do whatever it takes, including pushing the boundaries of medical ethics, in an effort to challenge antiquated practices and bring women’s healthcare to the forefront.

Dead Ringers has been described by its production company as "a thrilling tale about ambition, self-interest, and the manipulation of power".

Rachel Weisz on food scenes, swapping character and female creative team

Rachel Weisz, Britne Oldford, as well as creator, writer and executive producer Alice Birch, attended the UK premiere of Dead Ringers at London's BFI this week (11 April). 

Talking about the challenge of playing twins, Weisz said: "We generally started with Elliot, as she sets the pace a bit. I’d then go change into Beverly and the whole crew would change too, to mirror that shift.

"By the end, we had it down to about 15 minutes in-between character changes."

Joking about the food scenes, where she would get to eat double portions, she added: "I just ate a lot…I quite like to eat. So the burger scene in the diner, I ended up eating 16 and I didn’t feel very brilliant after, but then when do you get the chance to eat 16 burgers?!"

And finally, speaking about collaborating with a women-only writing team, she added: "It was one of the most joyful experiences I’ve ever had.

"I’d be in there for 6-8 hours a day and everyone really used their imaginations."

Dead Ringers cast

Academy Award-winning actress Rachel Weisz (The Mummy, The Constant Gardener) leads the cast in the dual role of twins Elliot and Beverly Mantle.

The series' ensemble cast includes Britne Oldford (The Umbrella Academy, American Horror Story: Asylum) as Genevieve, Poppy Liu (Hacks, Better Call Saul) as Greta, Michael Chernus (Severance, Orange is the New Black) as Tom, Jennifer Ehle (Zero Dark Thirty, Saint Maud) as Rebecca, and Emily Meade (The Deuce, The Leftovers) as Susan.

The limited series is created, written, and executive produced by Emmy-nominated writer and playwright Alice Birch (Normal People, Succession, The Wonder).

Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene, The Nest, The Iron Claw) directed the first two episodes and co-directed the last episode of the series.

The directing team also includes Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body, Girlfight), Karena Evans (P-Valley, Snowfall), and Lauren Wolkstein (A Friend of the Family, Y: The Last Man). 

Dead Ringers cast list

• Rachel Weisz – Plays Elliot and Beverly Mantle
• Britne Oldford – Plays Genevieve
• Poppy Liu – Plays Greta
• Michael Chernus – Plays Tom
• Jennifer Ehle – Plays Rebecca
• Emily Meade – Plays Susan
• Kitty Hawthorne - Plays Beverly/Elliot
• Jeremy Shamos - Plays Joseph
• Natalie Woolams-Torres - Plays Heather
• Suzanne Bertish - Plays Linda
• Liza Fernandez - Plays Lenka
• Andrew Garman - Plays Group Leader
• Kevin McNally - Plays Alan
• Michael McKean  - Plays Marion
• Susan Blommaert - Plays Agnes
• Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine - Plays Silas Jordan
• Maryann Urbano - Plays Sasha
• Kevin Anton - Plays Larry
• Geoff Lee - Plays Mr Leung

What was the original Dead Ringers?

David Cronenberg’s psychosexual thriller was released in cinemas in 1988.

It starred Jeremy Irons as Elliot and Beverly Mantle, gynecologists who jointly operate a clinical practice specialising in treating fertility problems.

The original film’s script was loosely based on the true story of twins Stewart and Cyril Marcus and the fictionalised Bari Wood and Jack Geasland novel, Twins.

The twin brother gynecologists were found dead in their Manhattan apartment in 1975.

Dead Ringers won numerous accolades on its original release including 10 Genie Awards.

Total Film listed Dead Ringers in their 50 Greatest Horror Movies list, while Entertainment Weekly put it 20th in their list of Scariest Movies of All Time.

American horror site Bloody Disgusting also listed the movie in their top 10 best ever True Story Horror Movies.

Where can I watch Dead Ringers? 

Dead Ringers is streaming now on Prime Video.

 All episodes are available from launch.