The Double Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A super-awkward dude gets his life stolen by an identical, but way cooler, version of himself, and instead of fighting back, he just…mopes until the inevitable, bleak ending.

🍿 The Double: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction of Simon James

Simon James is a timid and overlooked clerk working in a bureaucratic office. He’s invisible to his colleagues, ignored by his mother, and unable to express his feelings for his coworker, Hannah. His life is a monotonous routine marked by isolation and a deep sense of insignificance. He struggles to be recognized and respected in a world that seems indifferent to his existence.

The Arrival of James Simon

Simon’s life takes a bizarre turn with the arrival of James Simon, a new coworker who is physically identical to him but possesses a charismatic and confident personality. Unlike Simon, James is immediately liked by everyone, including their boss and Hannah. James effortlessly succeeds where Simon fails, further amplifying Simon’s feelings of inadequacy and invisibility.

James’s Ascendancy and Simon’s Descent

James begins to take over Simon’s life, using his ideas at work and winning over Hannah. Simon’s frustration and desperation grow as he watches his doppelganger thrive in ways he can only dream of. He becomes increasingly obsessed with James, blurring the lines between reality and paranoia as he struggles to reclaim his identity and assert his presence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Simon James (Jesse Eisenberg): A timid and overlooked office worker whose life is upended by the arrival of his confident doppelganger.
• James Simon (Jesse Eisenberg): Simon’s charismatic and manipulative double who begins to take over his life.
• Hannah (Mia Wasikowska): A quirky and lonely copyist who becomes the object of affection for both Simon and James.
• Mr. Papadopoulos (Wallace Shawn): Simon’s oblivious and indifferent boss who favors James’s charm over Simon’s work ethic.
• The Colonel (James Fox): The enigmatic head of the organization where Simon and James work.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Simon: “I don’t know how to be myself. It’s like I’m permanently outside myself.” – Simon expresses his deep-seated feeling of detachment and inability to connect with his own identity.
• Simon: “I can see the type of man I want to be versus the type of man I actually am and I know that I’m doing it but I’m incapable of what needs to be done.” – Simon laments his inability to become the person he aspires to be, highlighting his internal conflict.
• Simon: “I’m like Pinocchio, a wooden boy. Not a real boy. And it kills me.” – Simon uses the Pinocchio analogy to explain his feeling of being artificial and incomplete.
• Simon: “I’d like to think I’m pretty unique.” – Said by Simon in the ambulance after jumping from the ledge, finally feeling like an individual.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $11 Million
• Domestic Gross: $200,406
• Worldwide Gross: $1,662,515

💥 The Double Reviews

Personal Review

This movie is a trip. I felt like I was watching someone’s really bad dream play out on screen. Jesse Eisenberg is fantastic as both Simon and James, it’s almost unsettling how different he makes them feel. I wasn’t sure what to make of the ending, it made me feel a bit uneasy, but it definitely stuck with me for a while. If you’re into weird, dark, and thought-provoking movies, give it a watch. But be warned, it’s not exactly a feel-good flick.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in psychological thrillers”
  • “Those who appreciate surreal and dystopian films”
  • “Admirers of Jesse Eisenberg and Mia Wasikowska”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suicide themes”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• Indiewire: “Ayoade crafts a visually striking and unsettling world, anchored by Eisenberg’s compelling dual performance. The film’s exploration of identity and alienation is thought-provoking, even if its bleakness can be overwhelming.
• Slash Film: “The Double is a very stylish movie that will entertain a very specific demographic of film lovers. Ayoade is clearly a gifted film-maker, however, the story does not resonate with the brilliance of the visuals and performance. The end result is worth a viewing, but will ultimately prove to be somewhat disappointing.
• IMDb: “Jesse Eisenberg’s dual performance is great, the film has very dark undertones, and very interesting visuals. However, the story does lack some substance with oddities that at times do not make sense, and the dark undertones can be very overbearing at times to a point it will most likely be off-putting.

Audience Reactions

Eisenberg’s performance is captivating, showcasing his versatility.: Many viewers appreciate Eisenberg’s dual portrayal, citing it as a highlight of the film.

The film’s unique atmosphere and visual style are impressive.: Audiences frequently praised the dark, surreal atmosphere and distinctive visual style.

Overall Consensus: A visually striking and thought-provoking film with a compelling lead performance, though its bleakness and unconventional narrative may not appeal to all viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is loosely based on the novella ‘The Double’ by Fyodor Dostoevsky, exploring themes of identity and alienation.”
• “Director Richard Ayoade cited Terry Gilliam’s ‘Brazil’ as a major visual influence, evident in the film’s dystopian and bureaucratic setting.”
• “Jesse Eisenberg played both Simon and James, requiring complex choreography and visual effects to depict scenes with both characters present.”
• “The soundtrack features a mix of original music and vintage Japanese pop songs, contributing to the film’s surreal atmosphere.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Double?

The Double is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service or digital retailer for availability and pricing. Rental and purchase options vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Brazil (1985): Shares a similar dystopian, bureaucratic setting and dark humor, with a protagonist struggling against a nonsensical system.
• Fight Club (1999): Explores similar themes of identity, alienation, and the struggle against conformity, using a dual personality narrative.
• Enemy (2013): Another film that focuses on the concept of a doppelganger and identity confusion, presented in a psychological thriller format.
• Being John Malkovich (1999): Deals with surreal identity issues and the exploration of self through another person, with a dark comedic edge.
• The Tenant (1976): Shares themes of paranoia, isolation, and the loss of identity within an oppressive environment.

🛒 The Double Related Products

• The Double (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A meticulously restored edition of the film, featuring bonus content like director interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. A must-have for cinephiles and fans of the movie.
• Dostoevsky: The Double: The original novella by Fyodor Dostoevsky that inspired the film. Delve into the source material and explore the themes of identity and paranoia in greater depth.
• The Double (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): An exclusive soundtrack with the tracks used in the movie. The strange feeling of the music is unique to the movie!
• Jesse Eisenberg Signed Photo: An autographed picture of Jesse Eisenberg. Guaranteed authenticity with a certificate.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Akasaka Rain” – performed by The Blue Comets
• “Der Doppelgänger” – performed by Franz Schubert

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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Ever wondered what makes Black Swan so captivating? This video breaks down the film’s themes and Darren Aronofsky’s masterful direction. Honestly, it really makes you appreciate the layers in this movie!

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