The Man Who Haunted Himself
The Man Who Haunted Himself

Movie spotlight

The Man Who Haunted Himself

1970
Movie
88 min
English

Executive Harold Pelham suffers a serious accident after which he faces the shadow of death. When, against all odds, he miraculously recovers, he discovers that his life does not belong to him anymore.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes75%
Director: Basil DeardenGenres: Mystery, Horror, Thriller

Plot Summary

After a near-fatal car accident, a conventional and seemingly content executive begins to experience unsettling events. He discovers that he has a doppelgänger, an exact replica of himself, who is living a parallel life and engaging in increasingly immoral and dangerous behavior. This duplicate starts to encroach on his professional and personal life, leading to a desperate struggle for identity and sanity as the protagonist tries to convince others that he is the real person.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'The Man Who Haunted Himself' received a mixed to positive reception. While some critics lauded its psychological depth and Roger Moore's nuanced performance, others found its pacing slow and its premise somewhat unsettling. Over time, it has gained a cult following and is now regarded as an underrated gem in the thriller genre, appreciated for its unique exploration of identity and the uncanny.

What Reviewers Say

  • Roger Moore delivers a surprisingly effective dramatic performance.

  • The film's exploration of identity and the doppelgänger theme is chilling and thought-provoking.

  • The pacing can be deliberate, but the unsettling atmosphere builds effectively.

Google audience: Audience reception is not readily available through Google user ratings for this film.

Fun Fact

This film is notable for being Roger Moore's last role before he was cast as James Bond in 'Live and Let Die' (1973), showcasing his range beyond comedic roles.

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1 reviews
John Chard

John Chard

The Pelham Paranoia. With its 1970s chic cheese and swagger and Roger Moore's excellent performance, The Man Who Haunted Himself has a considerable cult fan base. Directed by British legend Basil Dearden, plot finds Moore as Harold Pelha...

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