The Double

Name: The Double
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Comedy
Released: May 9, 2014
Duration: 93 min
Rating: 68
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska, Noah Taylor, Wallace Shawn, Yasmin Paige

2014

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 124 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 124 Ratings

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The Double

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Movie Details & Credits

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: May 9, 2014 | R

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska, Noah Taylor, Wallace Shawn, Yasmin Paige

Summary: The life of Simon (Jesse Eisenberg), a timid, isolated man who’s overlooked at work, scorned by his mother, and ignored by the woman of his dreams (Mia Wasikowska) is turned upside down with the arrival of a new co-worker, James. James is both Simon's exact physical double and his opposite - confident, charismatic and good with women. ToThe life of Simon (Jesse Eisenberg), a timid, isolated man who’s overlooked at work, scorned by his mother, and ignored by the woman of his dreams (Mia Wasikowska) is turned upside down with the arrival of a new co-worker, James. James is both Simon's exact physical double and his opposite - confident, charismatic and good with women. To Simon's horror, James slowly starts taking over his life.… Expand

Director: Richard Ayoade

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 93 min

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Critic Reviews

100

The Guardian Henry Barnes

Sep 15, 2013

The Double isn't an original idea. It wasn't even in Dostoyevsky's time. But it's a great story. And Ayoade has produced a brilliant copy. Read full review

Andrew O'Hehir

May 10, 2014

As a pure head-trip visual and auditory experience it feels like one of the biggest discoveries, and biggest surprises, of 2014. Read full review

Alan Scherstuhl

May 6, 2014

The Double, with its inviting alienation, nails a curious mood that's been too long absent from contemporary film: the anxious admission that the world might be weighted against the plucky individual, and that prickling you feel just before such thoughts make a sweat break out. Read full review

Nathan Rabin

May 7, 2014

Beneath all The Double’s cynicism, misanthropy, intense stylization, and distance lies a core of genuine tragedy, and that’s what gives the film an emotional resonance beyond its aesthetic achievements. Read full review

Ty Burr

May 17, 2014

With an aptness that may even be intentional, The Double feels both over-familiar and oddly new. It’s safe to call it a Kafka-esque tale, even though the Fyodor Dostoyevsky novel from which the movie is adapted was written in 1846. Read full review

A.O. Scott

May 8, 2014

It never quite rises to the full potential of its theme or fully inhabits its intricately imagined space. It’s cool but not haunting — a brainteaser rather than a mindblower. Read full review

Diane Garrett

May 11, 2014

Without a character to really care about, the movie just comes off as fraught and over-stylized. Read full review

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User Reviews

BryceHarper

Feb 24, 2018

from the beginning to the end, this artwork seems to know how to make audiences feel dazzled.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

kasperlovborg

Jul 26, 2014

Get sucked into a nightmarish but very funny tale of absurdity, bureaucratic insanity and madness based on Dostoyevsky's novel (skyrocketing to the top of my reading list), peppered with a dash of Kafka and a pinch of Ayoade's very own sensibilities. It's even better than 'Submarine', veryGet sucked into a nightmarish but very funny tale of absurdity, bureaucratic insanity and madness based on Dostoyevsky's novel (skyrocketing to the top of my reading list), peppered with a dash of Kafka and a pinch of Ayoade's very own sensibilities. It's even better than 'Submarine', very high praise in my book! Jesse Eisenberg, on double duty, is simultaneously hilarious and believable, and the feel and rhythms of the stylish, bold and sublimely weird movie he's carrying wholly unique.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

ponderflix

Feb 11, 2015

Jesse Eisenberg plays both parts skillfully and Ayoade constructs some nicely observed comic scenes, particularly some good physical comedy with the luckless, hopeless, Simon...With its dystopian industrial setting, stripped back set design, off-kilter dialogue, understated performances,Jesse Eisenberg plays both parts skillfully and Ayoade constructs some nicely observed comic scenes, particularly some good physical comedy with the luckless, hopeless, Simon...With its dystopian industrial setting, stripped back set design, off-kilter dialogue, understated performances, imposing soundtrack and surreal atmosphere this feels a bit like an early David Lynch film. But it doesn’t quite have the same intensity or conviction. It’s soft-core Lynch.

I have the feeling this is going to be a love it or hate it film. The humour will not be to everyone’s taste; dark, surreal and subtle...the director, Richard Ayoade, has imposed a distinct rhythm and texture, the plot and style follow its own twisted logic and it's more interested in establishing feeling and atmosphere than giving clear answers; if you’re likely to be frustrated by mind-twisting plot points going largely unexplained, then this may not be for you. For me, it worked well enough and I have a feeling I may enjoy it even more on a second viewing.

Full review at ponderflix on wordpress.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Sep 7, 2017

The Double is an interesting film, but its concept is not enough to save the whole film, that is perhaps its biggest mistake, what really rescues it is the work of its protagonist and the style printed by its director.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

geewah

Mar 30, 2021

The comparisons (fairly or unfairly) to Villeneuve's "Enemy" are unavoidable in this doppelganger movie. And while this movie at times is rather interesting and thought provoking, it doesn't stack up compared to "Enemy".

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

REDWOU

Nov 23, 2014

I found The Double incredibly boring. I had watched this after Enemy, and since it was pretty good, but the critics had thought this was better, I had high expectations. Boy, should I never trust the critics again...

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

cod4isthebest

May 18, 2014

the actor is really boring and you can't care about the movie because it's boring and he sucks. when a movie's main character is terrible the movie is unwatchable.

6 of 24 users found this helpful618

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