Podcasts
The WTF Ending of 1993’s ‘Doppelganger’ [Horror Queers Podcast]
De Palma/Argento Baby.
After closing January with the one-two punch of M. Night’s Split (listen) and (maybe?) meta slasher Popcorn (listen), we kicked off February with Barry Levinson‘s messy Michael Crichton adaptation Sphere (listen). Then last week, Trace and I switched gears to check out Avi Nesher‘s bizarre 1993 romantic thriller/curiosity Doppelganger, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
In the film, Drew Barrymore plays Holly Gooding, a NYC transplant new to LA following the brutal murder of her mother (Jaid Barrymore, Barrymore’s real-life mother). After securing a room with struggling screenwriter Patrick Highsmith (George Newbern), Holly is threatened by an identical double who targets her remaining family…and anyone else who gets in the way.
The real question is: Is the doppelganger actually just Holly in disguise? Who else is in danger? And does Patrick even care about the truth so long as he can continue to date her? The astounding truth – and the KNB effects heavy ending that audiences will never guess – has to be seen to be believed.
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Episode 373: Doppelganger (1993)
Cue the green & red lighting and the KNB effects because we are talking about the absolutely *wild* 1993 film, Doppelganger.
Starring 17 year old emancipated minor Drew Barrymore, writer/director Avi Nesher’s curious oddity is “DePalma meets Argento in the guise of a Lifetime film”. Filled with gay extras and capital-A acting from the supporting cast, Doppelganger is one bizarre creative decision after another from beginning to (absolutely gonzo) end. Go in cold if you can!
Plus: underage nudity; Drew’s troubled relationship with mother Jaid; gay Breakfast at Tiffany‘s; ties to 1991’s Popcorn; and Leslie Hope’s rapid-fire screwball comedy dialogue.
Cross out Doppelganger!
Coming Up Next: We’re celebrating the stunning debut of Robert Eggers on the tenth anniversary of The Witch (2016)!
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Coming Soon & Now Showing is a monthly series on Halloweenies that catches up on the latest horror headlines and round robins capsule reviews of new and old horrors.
This month, Michael Roffman and Justin Gerber discuss the blockbuster weekend involving Backrooms and Obsession. They also brush on some franchise news and dust off oldies for the first time: 1987’s Dead of Winter and 1977’s False Face.
Stream the episode below. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and RSS. New to the Halloweenies? Catch up with the gang by revisiting their essential episodes on past franchises such as Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Scream, The Evil Dead, Chucky, Alien, and the Universal Monsters.This year? Hellraiser!
You can also become a member of their Patreon, The Rewind, for hilariously irreverent commentaries (e.g. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Re-Animator, Darkman), one-off deep dives on your favorite rentals (e.g. Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Manhunter, ), and even spinoffs like their recent run Fortune & Glory: An Indiana Jones Podcast.