The Film (4.5/5)

Chloe (Marine Vacth) is a scared ex model who is suffering from some unusual stomach pains. After numerous tests and going through a couple Doctors, its finally suggested that she visit a psychoanalyst. She meets Paul (Jeremie Renier) and starts to explore her past traumas with him. The only issue is the Doctor and patient start to fall madly in love with one another.

The two later become a couple and move in together. All seems fine until one day Chloe catches a look at Paul's double. He denies having a twin or the possibility of having an affair. But is he really telling the truth or is there a sinister plot beneath the surface?

DOUBLE LOVER (2017 aka L'AMANT DOUBLE) is the newest thriller from Francois Ozon. Ozon has made a name for himself with his erotic charged thrillers, romances, and dramas. Best known in many areas for THE SWIMMING POOL, Ozon has continued to be one of the most unique directors from France to catch my eye.

And while speaking about Eyes, Here Ozon goes into full on De Palma mode with a visual tour de force. The kind of slick thriller that never goes out of fashion, but sadly only hits every few years or so. Working off Joyce Carol Oates's Novel, "The Lives of the Twins", The movie version mixes a little bit of De Palma's SISTERS and David Cronenberg's DEAD RINGERS into an intense sex thrill ride. All the while keeping it fresh and uniquely Ozon.

The is very frank in terms of sex. One of the opening shots of the film is a tight close-up on a vagina before transiting over to an eye. Couples are seen enjoying sex and do so out in the open. Very clearly. But like a Cronenberg movie there is an odd scientific coldness to some of the shots. Later, in the film, Chloe fashions a strap on dildo and is seen lovely lubing it up. While it's cold and distant. It's still played as natural.

I don't want to give away any of the twists or turns of the plot, But I will say I didn't find it predictable at all. While it's easy to see some connection to De Palma's DRESSED TO KILL because of the sexual tension between Doctor and patient, it never feels like a homage. In terms of cast, Marine Vacth (Ozon's YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL) makes an endlessly watchable lead. She is complex and soft. But underneath her sad and lonely eyes is a burning sense of rage. You really believe that something bizarre is going on when she says I'm afraid I'll get better.

Audio/Video (4.5/5)

Cohen releases DOUBLE LOVER with two audio tracks. First up is the French 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio sound mix. Every aspect of the mix sounds fantastic on my personal sound system. There is no hiss or pops. The sound design is pushed to its extreme in some wonderfully trippy scenes. The second track is the French 5.1 Dolby digital mix, which is quite good but overall a little softer in tone. English subtitles are included.

The 1080p HD picture is as vivid as some of the strange imagery found in the film. The black levels are smooth, and the picture has a sharp focus. Every shot is full of detail and complex textures.

Extras (3/5)

The main extra is an interview with Director Ozon and star Vacth at the Quad cinema. Ozon talks about how he wanted to adapt a Joyce Carol Oates story and mix it with a fusion of classic Brian De Palma and Hitchcock. How it ended up in some legal troubles and finally choosing "Lives of the Twins" as his source story. Both share plenty of stories from the film's production. Rounding out the disc is the film's trailer.

Overall (4.5/5)

DOUBLE LOVER is a masterful thriller with a fine couple of twists. Ozon continues to impress me as a director, and after this film I have to say I'm a big fan. I don't won't to spoil any of the twists, but I will say it's a film I can't wait to visit again. If you’re a fan of slick thrillers or Early De Palma, you need to see this asap. Highly Recommended.