Richard Ayoade’s The Double (2013) is a darkly comic, surreal psychological thriller based on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novella of the same name. It explores themes of identity, alienation, and societal invisibility through a Kafkaesque lens, and is set in a bleak, dystopian world where the absurd is normalized. Starring Jesse Eisenberg in dual roles, the film artfully blends existential dread with deadpan humor.
Detailed Summary
Introduction: Simon James and His Dull Existence
Simon James (Jesse Eisenberg) is a meek, unnoticed office worker for a government-like organization dealing with information and numbers. He’s been with the company for seven years, yet no one remembers his name. His life is a drab routine: he takes the same train, eats alone, and secretly spies on his co-worker and crush, Hannah (Mia Wasikowska), who lives in the apartment across from his.
Simon’s world is oppressive, with dim lighting, outdated technology, and a bureaucratic system that renders people irrelevant. The tone is suffocating, which reflects Simon’s internal state.
The Arrival of James Simon
Things begin to unravel when a new employee shows up: James Simon — who looks exactly like Simon but is everything Simon is not. He’s confident, charming, assertive, and quickly rises through the ranks of the company. Strangely, no one seems to notice or care that he is Simon’s doppelgänger.
Simon initially befriends James, impressed by his charisma. James offers to help Simon win over Hannah in exchange for help at work. However, this alliance soon turns sour. James starts to manipulate and exploit Simon, taking credit for his work, seducing Hannah, and slowly taking over every aspect of Simon’s life.
Descent into Madness
Simon’s mental state begins to deteriorate. He questions his own identity and sanity as James gaslights him and becomes increasingly aggressive. Attempts to expose James fail, as others either don’t believe him or seem unable to tell the two apart.
This tension crescendos in surreal ways. The environment itself seems to reflect Simon’s inner turmoil, becoming more distorted, claustrophobic, and hallucinatory.
⇢ VIRAL RIGHT NOW
Movie Ending
The climax of the film is a culmination of Simon’s total breakdown and rebellion against James. In a last act of defiance, Simon stages a suicide attempt to trap James. He jumps off a building onto a dumpster and deliberately injures himself, knowing that James — who is psychically linked to him — will also be hurt.
James, hidden in an abandoned building with Hannah, begins to bleed and collapse. A moment of poetic justice unfolds: Simon, who has been ignored all his life, finally asserts control by taking an action that forces the two identities into a reckoning.
In the final scene, Simon is discovered by his boss, Mr. Papadopoulos, lying injured but conscious. Unlike earlier in the film where Simon was constantly overlooked, this time he is seen — really seen. Mr. Papadopoulos acknowledges him and tells the nurse, “He’s a special one.”
This ending is deeply symbolic. It suggests Simon has reclaimed his individuality by confronting his internal shadow — the embodiment of his unmet desires and societal repression — and has emerged, wounded but no longer invisible.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Double does not have any post-credits scenes. The film ends on a quiet, ambiguous note, consistent with its overall tone of existential reflection. Once the credits roll, the story is concluded.
Type of Movie
The Double is a psychological thriller, dark comedy, and drama with strong elements of absurdist dystopia. It blends Kafka-esque and Orwellian aesthetics with surreal visuals and dry, understated humor.
Cast
- Jesse Eisenberg as Simon James / James Simon
- Mia Wasikowska as Hannah
- Wallace Shawn as Mr. Papadopoulos
- Noah Taylor as Harris
- Paddy Considine as The Detective (TV show character)
- Yasmin Paige, James Fox, and Chris O’Dowd in minor roles
Film Music and Composer
The film’s haunting and occasionally whimsical score is composed by Andrew Hewitt. It features classical pieces and eerie arrangements that perfectly underscore the film’s unsettling atmosphere. The soundtrack also includes Japanese pop and retro-sounding songs that add a surreal, offbeat quality.
Filming Locations
The Double was shot in London, primarily at abandoned office buildings and industrial sites dressed to look like a strange, timeless dystopia. The film avoids identifying its location or time period, making it feel like a world outside of history — a crucial aspect of its Kafkaesque tone.
⇢ KEEP UP WITH THE TREND
Awards and Nominations
While not a major awards juggernaut, The Double received strong critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards:
- British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) – Nominated for Best Director (Richard Ayoade)
- London Film Festival – Screened as part of the official selection
- Sitges Film Festival – Won Best Actor (Jesse Eisenberg)
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Jesse Eisenberg studied Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for inspiration on dual personality dynamics.
- Richard Ayoade worked closely with cinematographer Erik Wilson to create a visual aesthetic influenced by Terry Gilliam and David Lynch.
- Lighting was intentionally kept low and shadow-heavy to represent Simon’s psychological state.
- Mia Wasikowska prepared for the role by watching old silent films to master subtle, expressive acting.
- Ayoade insisted on using practical sets and props wherever possible, avoiding CGI.
Inspirations and References
- Based on the novella “The Double” by Fyodor Dostoevsky, though the film takes major liberties with the story.
- Visually inspired by Brazil (1985), Eraserhead, and the works of Franz Kafka.
- The theme of the doppelgänger is also explored in films like Fight Club, Enemy, and Persona.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no publicly known alternate endings. However, several deleted scenes were reportedly shot that delve deeper into James’s manipulations and Simon’s interactions with other coworkers, which were cut to preserve the film’s pacing and tone.
Book Adaptations and Differences
While based on Dostoevsky’s The Double, the film is a loose adaptation. Key differences:
- The setting is modernized and abstract, whereas Dostoevsky’s novella is firmly 19th century.
- The film introduces a love interest (Hannah) and workplace satire, which are absent from the original.
- The novella is more focused on mental illness, while the film plays up bureaucratic absurdity and existential dread.
⇢ MOST SHARED RIGHT NOW
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Simon watching Hannah from his telescope, revealing his deep loneliness.
- James seducing Hannah while Simon listens helplessly from the next room.
- The moment James begins to physically deteriorate when Simon injures himself — a chilling twist on their shared identity.
- Simon screaming in frustration in the elevator as no one recognizes him.
Iconic Quotes
- “You’re a bit of a non-person. People don’t notice you.”
- “I’m not a replacement. I’m an upgrade.”
- “You look like a frightened little mouse.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The TV detective show that Simon watches mimics his own story arc, offering meta-commentary.
- Simon always walks in through the same door, emphasizing his obsessive, unchanging routine.
- James drinks coffee with cream, while Simon drinks it black — a subtle hint at their opposite personalities.
- Posters in the background reference themes like obedience and conformity.
Trivia
- Jesse Eisenberg played both roles using body doubles and CGI compositing.
- The script took years to develop, with Ayoade rewriting it multiple times.
- The movie was shot in just over six weeks on a limited budget.
- Richard Ayoade is also known for playing Moss in The IT Crowd — a stark contrast to this movie’s tone.
- It’s often compared with Enemy (2013) by Denis Villeneuve, which also features a doppelgänger plot but in a completely different style.
Why Watch?
If you enjoy cerebral films that explore identity and isolation with style and dark humor, The Double is a must-watch. It’s unsettling, funny, and thought-provoking — a unique vision that leaves you questioning the nature of the self and society’s indifference to individuality.
Director’s Other Movies
- Submarine (2010)
- Paddington 2 (2017) – Co-writer