The Devil's Double
The Devil's Double

Movie spotlight

The Devil's Double

2011
Movie
109 min
English

A chilling vision of the House of Saddam Hussein comes to life through the eyes of the man who was forced to become the double of Hussein's sadistic son.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes53%
Metacritic57
Google Users72%
Director: Lee TamahoriGenres: Biography, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

In 1980s Baghdad, Uday Hussein, the sadistic son of Saddam Hussein, forces his elite soldier double, Latif Yahia, to take his place. Torn between loyalty and self-preservation, Latif navigates a treacherous world of debauchery, violence, and political intrigue. He struggles to maintain his own identity while living a life of excess and danger, all while trying to protect his family and escape the clutches of the ruthless Uday.

Critical Reception

The Devil's Double received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who praised Dominic Cooper's dual performance and the film's portrayal of the opulent yet sinister world of Saddam Hussein's sons. However, some critics found the narrative to be somewhat formulaic and underdeveloped in exploring the psychological complexities of the characters.

What Reviewers Say

  • Dominic Cooper delivers a commanding performance in a dual role.

  • The film effectively depicts the decadent and brutal atmosphere of Saddam Hussein's regime.

  • While visually striking, the plot occasionally lacks depth and emotional resonance.

Google audience: Google users generally found 'The Devil's Double' to be a compelling and intense thriller, with many highlighting Dominic Cooper's strong performance as the standout element. The film's depiction of the opulent yet dangerous lifestyle associated with Saddam Hussein's family was also frequently praised, though some viewers noted that the story could have benefited from further character development.

Fun Fact

Dominic Cooper stated in interviews that he based his portrayal of Uday Hussein on a combination of performances by Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger's Joker.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Reno

Reno

**It was not a stolen identity, but forcibly given.** The film was based on the book of the same name that tells the true story of a young Iraqi man Latif, who was forced to body double the Saddam Hussein's playboy son, Uday. This is the...