Duplex Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A young couple buys a house with an old lady upstairs, and hilarity ensues as they try to make her life so miserable she leaves, but she’s secretly a master manipulator running a real estate scam.

🍿 Duplex: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Dream Home, Nightmare Tenant

Alex Rose, a writer, and Nancy Kendricks, a magazine designer, find what seems like the perfect Brooklyn duplex. The only catch is Mrs. Connelly, an elderly tenant living in the rent-controlled apartment upstairs. They assume she’ll be no trouble, but soon discover she’s a constant source of noise and disruption.

Escalating Annoyance

Mrs. Connelly’s antics escalate from loud TV and constant requests to outright manipulation. She sabotages Alex’s writing and Nancy’s job, driving them to the brink. Their attempts to reason with her or file complaints backfire, making them the target of police scrutiny. They feel trapped and desperate as their dream home becomes a living hell.

Desperate Measures

Driven to their wits’ end, Alex and Nancy resort to increasingly drastic measures to get rid of Mrs. Connelly, including sabotage and even hiring a hitman. Each attempt fails spectacularly, often with comical and disastrous consequences. They lose their savings and their sanity in the process.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Alex Rose (Ben Stiller): A struggling writer who becomes increasingly frustrated and desperate as his dream home turns into a nightmare due to his noisy upstairs neighbor.
• Nancy Kendricks (Drew Barrymore): Alex’s supportive wife who initially tries to be reasonable with Mrs. Connelly but eventually resorts to extreme measures.
• Mrs. Connelly (Eileen Essell): A seemingly sweet old lady who is actually a manipulative and disruptive tenant, orchestrating a real estate scam.
• Kenneth (Harvey Fierstein): The real estate agent and Mrs. Connelly’s son, who is complicit in the scam to sell the duplex to unsuspecting couples.
• Officer Dan (Robert Wisdom): A corrupt police officer and Kenneth’s lover who helps Mrs. Connelly harass the couple as part of their scam.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mrs. Connelly: “Tell me about yourselves. What do you do Alan?” – Mrs. Connelly intentionally misnames Alex when they first meet, setting the stage for her manipulative behavior.
• Alex: “We’re gonna kill her.” – Said in frustration, Alex expresses his dark thoughts and the couple begins plotting against Mrs. Connelly.
• Alex: “I just wanna finish my book!” – Said as a cry of exasperation, showing how Mrs. Connelly’s antics interfere with his writing career.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $40,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $9,692,135
• Worldwide Gross: $19,322,135

💥 Duplex Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this when it came out and thinking it was alright. It’s not laugh-out-loud funny, but the premise is interesting, and Eileen Essell is fantastic as Mrs. Connelly. I did feel bad for Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore’s characters; it’s a good, light watch when you don’t feel like thinking too much. The ending reveal was something I didn’t expect and liked!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore movies”
  • “Anyone who’s dealt with difficult neighbors”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Violence”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While Stiller and Barrymore have moments, the film’s humor feels forced and mean-spirited. It’s not the dark comedy DeVito seems to have aimed for.
• Metacritic: “Duplex has its moments but struggles to maintain consistent humor throughout. The premise wears thin, and the jokes often fall flat despite the cast’s efforts.
• IMDB: “A dark edged writing lifts the film above the run-of-the-Hollywood-comedy-mill, with Stiller and Barrymore doing the shtick of put-upon Everyman, and their customary cutesiness respectively.

Audience Reactions

Eileen Essell’s performance as Mrs. Connelly is a standout.: Many viewers found the dark humor and premise entertaining, though some found it mean-spirited.

The ending twist was a surprise for many audience members.: Some viewers appreciated the quirky storyline and the actors’ chemistry.

Overall Consensus: Duplex is a mixed bag, with some finding its dark humor and performances enjoyable, while others found it unfunny and mean-spirited.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Danny DeVito, known for his dark comedies, returned to the director’s chair after a break, aiming for a similar tone to his earlier films like ‘The War of the Roses’.”
• “The movie was one of the first major productions to film in New York City after the September 11th attacks, contributing to the city’s recovery efforts and showcasing its resilience.”
• “Eileen Essell, who played Mrs. Connelly, made her Hollywood debut at the age of 80 in this film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Duplex?

Duplex is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for potential streaming options on services like Paramount+ or through cable providers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Duplex, you might like these similar films:

• Throw Momma from the Train (1987): Both are black comedies directed by Danny DeVito, featuring plots centered around getting rid of a troublesome individual.
• The War of the Roses (1989): Also directed by Danny DeVito, it explores a couple’s escalating conflict, similar to the increasingly hostile relationship in ‘Duplex’.
• Pacific Heights (1990): Features a young couple terrorized by a nightmarish tenant.
• Home Alone (1990): Shares the slapstick and comedic violence as the couple sets traps to get rid of the old lady.

🛒 Duplex Related Products

• Duplex (Blu-ray): Enjoy the movie in high definition with bonus features like behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew.
• Ben Stiller Comedy Collection: A collection featuring other Ben Stiller comedies like ‘Meet the Parents’ and ‘Zoolander’.
• Drew Barrymore Movie Collection: Movie Collection includes films such as ’50 First Dates’, ‘Never Been Kissed’ and ‘He’s Just Not That Into You
• Apartment Decor Ideas: Decorate your home in an eclectic, cozy style reminiscent of Alex and Nancy’s duplex.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Allegro – L’Estro Armonico Op.3: Concerto No. 2 in G Minor” – performed by The Academy of Ancient Music

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Drew Barrymore Helped Danny DeVito See on Set of “Duplex” | The Drew Barrymore Show | #shorts

Did you know Drew Barrymore helped Danny DeVito see on the set of Duplex? That’s a really cool story; check out how she helped him!

Ben Stiller “Benjamin Rabbit” Recalls Working with Drew Barrymore on “Duplex” | Drew Barrymore Show

Ever wondered what it was like for Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore to work together on Duplex? They share some fun memories and behind-the-scenes stories; it’s worth a watch!

✨ Rate