The Double
Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: May 9, 2014
6.4
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 124 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
73
Mixed:
33
Negative:
18
Watch Now
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
ozymandias79May 23, 2014
Definitely an interesting film. It's very stylistic, almost like an early comic book-adapted film. Eisenberg is an overcast actor but he's not too annoying in this and Wasikowska is good. The directing is very good, can't wait to see whatDefinitely an interesting film. It's very stylistic, almost like an early comic book-adapted film. Eisenberg is an overcast actor but he's not too annoying in this and Wasikowska is good. The directing is very good, can't wait to see what Ayoade directs next.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
All this user's reviews
9
kasperlovborgJul 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 ownGet 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
All this user's reviews
9
mickiavonmomMay 22, 2014
The Double left this viewer feeling as delightfully discomfited as David Lynch's cult classic Eraserhead. The somber cinematography, disquieting soundtrack, and overall desperate tone of the film seriously invites the viewer to plungeThe Double left this viewer feeling as delightfully discomfited as David Lynch's cult classic Eraserhead. The somber cinematography, disquieting soundtrack, and overall desperate tone of the film seriously invites the viewer to plunge headfirst into insanity with it's main character. Taking the role of Simon James and James Simon was an audacious choice for Eisenberg, but he deftly brings both sides of his charming personality to his roles in this film. This is without question a "thinking man's movie" in that during the entire film you're thinking, "What the hell is going on?". The genius of Ayoade's adaptation is that the viewer, if captured by the psychological and social implications of the film, actually cares enough to participate in the overwhelming absurdity in order to discover the fate of James and Simon. Not only a "must see" but a "must see again-and-again."… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
All this user's reviews
8
Max_KadillacOct 26, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I suspect that this is a film you will either 'get', or not. It is a claustrophobic, neurotic, broken universe on screen, and unless you are open to subtle, deadpan, jet-black dialogue, the whole experience may be too bleak to enjoy.
Me, i love a well scripted take on the bleakness of existence, so i actually realy enjoyed this (i think i am in love with Mia W after this film) and personally i think its a far better film than the 5.9 its currently scoring. For my mind, it was the clever take on identity and authenticity that 'Her' wanted to be, but fell so far short of.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
8
mstiversMay 23, 2014
Reminiscent of both "Brazil", Kafka, and Orwell, this movie is worth seeing for its art direction alone. Like "Brazil", it blends futuristic and out-of-date technology. The tone is consistently dark and brooding, and Eisenberg does anReminiscent of both "Brazil", Kafka, and Orwell, this movie is worth seeing for its art direction alone. Like "Brazil", it blends futuristic and out-of-date technology. The tone is consistently dark and brooding, and Eisenberg does an excellent job of keeping the two characters distinct.… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
All this user's reviews
7
chwApr 23, 2015
The Double was a very interesting indie flick (just like Under the Skin). It's sort of hard to follow, and a bit confusing, but it wasn't like a Christopher Nolan confusing movie. Just a normal confusing movie.
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
All this user's reviews
8
ScribeHardJun 2, 2014
With inspiration from Fyodor Dostoyevsky‘s novella of the same title, co-writer/director Richard Ayoade uses The Double to look at how one man’s frail psyche tries to break free in an oppressive corporate environment. The trick to it,With inspiration from Fyodor Dostoyevsky‘s novella of the same title, co-writer/director Richard Ayoade uses The Double to look at how one man’s frail psyche tries to break free in an oppressive corporate environment. The trick to it, though, is to understand that the doppelgängers are not two people who look alike, but instead two versions of the same person living something of a shared, yet parallel, existence.

It's as much science fiction as it is drama or thriller, and it turned out to be one of those films that I needed to let marinate before it finally came together. It was very much worth letting it work its way through my mind.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
10
BryceHarperFeb 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
All this user's reviews
8
SpangleOct 23, 2014
This one totally turned my brain into mush, but I could not help but be captivated by it, in particular by Jesse Eisenberg's stunningly brilliant performance. Richard Ayoade also cemented his status as a director to keep an eye on in this oneThis one totally turned my brain into mush, but I could not help but be captivated by it, in particular by Jesse Eisenberg's stunningly brilliant performance. Richard Ayoade also cemented his status as a director to keep an eye on in this one as this hauntingly beautiful, moving, unique, and entirely weird, films shows that he has all of the elements to become one of the top directors working down the line. There is a lot going on here and the relationship between the Eisenbergs and Mia Wasikowska's character is certainly important, but this one is truly over my head. I could probably take a stab at what this one is about (loneliness, self-worth, split personality, desire to be something you are not, etc.), but I doubt it truly encompasses everything here. The dystopian elements here were also a real cool touch, but this one truly excels in its brilliant blending and twisting of the dark comedy, drama, and thriller genres. Overall, The Double is a resounding success and if you like mind benders, this one is for you.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
oDjentoAug 7, 2014
I was surprised by the user score after watching the film. The cinematography is utterly brilliant and perfectly executed, and although the acting does not seem outstanding in maybe the first half of the film, it certainly does what it needsI was surprised by the user score after watching the film. The cinematography is utterly brilliant and perfectly executed, and although the acting does not seem outstanding in maybe the first half of the film, it certainly does what it needs to in the second half! The story is interesting to watch unfold, and the light use of comedy really keeps the film flowing so it doesn't stagnate into "trying to be something more". The soundtrack fits the tone of the film perfectly, with audio cues being introduced at times to help almost tell the story and reinforce it's darkish tone. Definitely a film to pick up and watch!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
RoachramirezJun 27, 2014
Creo que es una buena pelicula cpn un tema que alo mejor mucha gente se puede sentir identificada. es lenta pero agradable y muy buena musica tambien muy oscura.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
vishalgoradia27Mar 7, 2017
I love me some weird; and this was right up there. The Story was good, the score was chilling, and the use of colors was truly impressive stuff. Although the story wasn't the most original; the execution won me over. I definitely recommendI love me some weird; and this was right up there. The Story was good, the score was chilling, and the use of colors was truly impressive stuff. Although the story wasn't the most original; the execution won me over. I definitely recommend this to everyone who is fan of the genre.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
ponderflixFeb 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,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
All this user's reviews
7
JLuis_001Sep 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
All this user's reviews
More From This Movie

68 Critic Reviews

6.4 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 71 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL