LE DOUBLE MALÉFIQUE

Entertaining Drew Barrymore mystery/thriller with a bizarre ending

After a murder in Manhattan, a young woman (Barrymore) moves back to her old haunts in Los Angeles where a promising writer takes her in as a roommate (George Newbern). Unfortunately, her deadly alter ego seems to have followed her.

"Doppelganger" (1993) is part spooky mystery and part romcom with some slasher bits. Drew was really cute at 17 during shooting, similar to “Poison Ivy” from the previous year. Meanwhile the story is amusing with a compelling mystery: Does Holly really have an evil doppelganger or is she experiencing multiple personality disorder? Or is something else going on?

Regrettably, the climax is unlikely (in a Scooby-Doo kind of way) and, then, outlandish (in a Hellraiser kind of way). Writer/director Avi Nesher must’ve asked himself, "What can I do to totally throw viewers off, a twist that no one sees coming?” Although confusing, I suppose the revelations make sense: Those who abused and manipulated a certain person for their own selfish ends unknowingly caused what is observed.

FYI: The first victim is played by Drew’s mother, Jaid Barrymore.

The film runs 1 hour, 44 minutes, and was shot in Los Angeles (including Old Anoakia Mansion in Arcadia), as well as Manhattan for the opening scenes.

GRADE: B-