The Devil’s Double Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A soldier gets plastic surgery to become the evil son of Saddam Hussein, then regrets his life choices but also gets a hot girlfriend.

🍿 The Devil’s Double: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Forced into Service

In 1985 Iraq, soldier Latif Yahia is summoned from the Iran-Iraq War to serve as a ‘fiday’ or body double for Uday Hussein, the notorious son of Saddam Hussein. Latif, bearing a striking resemblance to Uday, is given an impossible choice: comply or risk the lives of his family. Faced with such a dire threat, he reluctantly agrees to the dangerous proposition.

Life as Uday’s Double

Latif endures cosmetic surgery to enhance his likeness to Uday and begins mimicking his volatile mannerisms. He is thrust into Uday’s world of luxury and excess, witnessing firsthand the depravity and violence that define Uday’s reign. Torn between his conscience and the need to survive, Latif struggles to maintain his own identity amidst the decadence and danger.

Escaping the Nightmare

As Uday’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and brutal, Latif plans his escape. He becomes romantically involved with Sarrab, one of Uday’s mistresses, and together they attempt to flee Iraq. Their escape is fraught with peril, as Uday’s reach extends far and wide. Despite managing to initially escape to Malta with Sarrab, Latif is forced to make difficult decisions.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Latif Yahia (Dominic Cooper): An Iraqi army lieutenant forced to become the body double of Saddam Hussein’s son, Uday.
• Uday Hussein (Dominic Cooper): The notoriously violent and sadistic son of Saddam Hussein, embodying absolute power and moral depravity.
• Sarrab (Ludivine Sagnier): Uday’s mistress, caught in the crossfire of Uday’s brutality and Latif’s moral struggle.
• Munem (Raad Rawi): A high-ranking member of Saddam’s regime who orchestrates Latif’s transformation into Uday’s double.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Uday Hussein: “Allah doesn’t give me anything. Whatever I want, I take for myself!” – This line exemplifies Uday’s arrogance, entitlement, and ruthless nature.
• Munem: “Uday has chosen you. You belong to him.” – This quote highlights the lack of choice Latif has and the possessive control Uday exerts.
• Saddam Hussein: “I should have killed him at birth.” – Said by Saddam about Uday after Uday’s brutal actions, showing even Saddam recognizes his son’s monstrous nature.
• Latif: “I won’t become you.” – Latif says this at the climax of the movie, while he is seeking revenge for his family.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20 million
• Domestic Gross: $1.2 million
• Worldwide Gross: $5.2 million

💥 The Devil’s Double Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, this movie hit me hard. I went in expecting a war movie and got something way more intense. Dominic Cooper’s performance is insane – you completely forget it’s the same actor playing Uday and Latif. The party scene where Uday loses it was so disturbing, but I couldn’t look away. The Devil’s Double shows a dark side of power and how quickly things can spin out of control. I felt bad for Latif, but at the same time, was he a hero or just a survivor? Definitely a movie that sticks with you.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in political thrillers”
  • “Fans of Dominic Cooper”
  • “Those fascinated by Middle Eastern history and culture”
  • “Viewers who enjoy intense and violent dramas”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Disturbing themes”

Professional Reviews

• The Playlist: “Dominic Cooper’s dual performance is the engine driving this lurid, unsettling thriller. While the film occasionally veers into excess, Cooper’s portrayal of both the tormented Latif and the monstrous Uday keeps you riveted. The Devil’s Double offers a glimpse into a world of unimaginable depravity.
• Deadline Film + TV: “A movie that is very interesting to see what lengths someone would go to to save himself and his family. Dominic Cooper did a great job playing both sides of the spectrum. A great movie that I highly recommend.
• The Upcoming: “A must-watch for Cooper’s performance alone, but expect to be troubled as well as thrilled throughout. It is a brave attempt to portray a difficult and scarcely believable story.

Audience Reactions

Dominic Cooper’s performance as both Uday and Latif is amazing and truly Oscar-worthy.: Viewers praised Cooper’s ability to differentiate the two characters, making them feel like entirely separate people.

The film’s portrayal of Baghdad in the 80s as a playground for the rich and infamous was captivating and visually stunning.: Audiences appreciated the unique perspective, showing a side of Iraq rarely seen in Western media.

Overall Consensus: The Devil’s Double is a disturbing yet compelling look into the life of Uday Hussein, elevated by Dominic Cooper’s outstanding dual performance. It’s a brutal and thought-provoking film that might not be for everyone but is ultimately rewarding.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Dominic Cooper played both Uday Hussein and Latif Yahia, requiring significant preparation to differentiate the characters’ mannerisms and personalities.”
• “The film was shot in Malta, standing in for Baghdad, due to safety and logistical concerns.”
• “The film is based on the autobiography of Latif Yahia, although some details were fictionalized for dramatic effect.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Devil’s Double?

Currently, “The Devil’s Double” is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on services like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your preferred digital retailer for availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Devil’s Double, you might like these similar films:

• Scarface (1983): Both films depict the rise and fall of a powerful, violent figure involved in a world of excess, crime, and corruption.
• The Last King of Scotland (2006): Shares a similar narrative of a personal relationship with a brutal dictator and witnessing their descent into madness.
• Zero Dark Thirty (2012): Explores the themes of political violence, war, and the moral compromises people make in pursuit of power.

🛒 The Devil’s Double Related Products

• The Devil’s Double: The True Story of Saddam Hussein’s Son’s Body Double: The book written by Latif Yahia, detailing his experience as Uday Hussein’s body double, offering a deeper dive into the true story behind the film.
• Dominic Cooper Signed The Devil’s Double Movie Poster: A must-have for fans, this autographed poster featuring Dominic Cooper adds a touch of celebrity to your collection.
• The Devil’s Double (Blu-ray): Experience the dark world of Uday Hussein in high-definition, with bonus features and behind-the-scenes content.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Devil’s Double features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” – performed by Dead or Alive

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Most Feared Man in Iraq

Want to know what Uday Hussein was *really* like? This short doc gives you a glimpse into why he was considered the most feared man in Iraq. Honestly, it’s a chilling look at his power.

[Devil’s Double] Uday Hussein’s Kuwait Invasion Speech

Ever wondered how they recreated Uday Hussein’s infamous Kuwait Invasion speech in the movie? Check out this clip! It really captures the chaos and intensity of the moment—I got goosebumps watching it.

✨ Rate