Doppelganger

About This Movie

Doppelganger is an intriguing blend of comedy, sci-fi and thriller, crafted by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. The film plays with the idea of identity and the uncanny, all while maintaining a quirky sense of humor. The pacing feels deliberately off-kilter, echoing the protagonist's mental unraveling as he confronts his doppelgänger. The practical effects are understated yet effective, adding a tangible quality to the surreal elements. Performances are solid and subtly layered, especially when tension arises. It’s not your typical doppelgänger story; there's a cerebral undertone that keeps you pondering long after it's over. Definitely a unique piece in Kurosawa's filmography that captures a bizarre yet relatable existential crisis.

Released in Japan on July 26, 2003Runtime: 119 minutes, in Japanese with subtitlesNotable for practical effects and minimal CGI usageKurosawa explores themes of identity and isolation