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Its a subgenre with surprisingly long legs: William Shakespeare wroteThe Comedy of Errorsback in 1594.
Depictions of identical twins vary wildly, from warm and loving to calculated and distanced.
Its common that these twins are deeply troubled, with one suffering under the shadow of the other.
Sometimes theyre in perfect unison others, theyre diametrically opposed.
The Prime Video series is, of course, an adaptation of David Cronenbergs mesmerizing 80s film.
While brilliant, that only scratches the surface when it comes to identical twin movies.
Whether creepy or charming, theyre bound to get under your skin.
Curtis Bernhardts swooning, soapy film stars the GOAT Bette Davis as Kate and Pat Bosworth.
Kate is self-effacing and gentle, while Pat is bold and ostentatious, getting any man she pleases.
Jealous of Kates new beau, Bill (Glenn Ford), Pat steals him away, marrying him.
But when tragedy strikes, Kate takes an opportunity to get the love shes always longed for.
Dead Ringer(1964)
Another movie about identical twins played by Bette Davis?
Paul HenreidsDead Ringeris a creepy exploration of how identical twins survive without each other.
Vivid, detailed sets and a crazy action-packed climax giveTwins of Evilits bite.
However, a neighbor across the way, Grace (Jennifer Salt), witnesses the killing.
Though be warned, you may never want birthday cake ever again.
Both zoologists, the pair become obsessed with death and decay particularly through watching animals decompose.
Its not easy to shake this phantasmagorical exploration of trauma, nor its haunting images of decomposing animals.
(Fuck off, you freaks, she rightfully retorts.)
As adults, the pair share patients as well as lovers without anyone knowing.
You havent had any experience until Ive had it too, Elliot tells his twin.
When she discovers the truth of their manipulative natures, everything gets considerablymoretwisted as if that was even possible.
The film explores the idea that twins have a sort of symbiotic connection and the parasitic relationship that entails.
As the film tagline says, Two Bodies.
That Cronenberg manages to convey so much humanity in these men is what makes the film unforgettable.
A frazzled and overworked nurse makes a mistake and separates the twins from identical sets to fraternal ones.
Its all thoroughly ridiculous and very, very silly, and a total blast.
Tomlin and Midler more than capably carry the film Tomlin is especially wonderful as the deeply paranoid Rose.
Thankfully, despite the separation, theyve both managed to achieve peak physical form.
It leads to a technically impressive and cleverly executed scene where JCVD brawls with himself.
Its a nonsensical, cotton-candy confection of a movie, served up with a thick slice of 90s cheese.
The incredibly charming film finds Hallie and Annie (both Lohan) having a chance encounter at summer camp.
At first, theyre enemies, engaging in a ludicrously fun game of exchanging pranks.
Before long, they realize theyre separated identical twins, and become besties.
Sure,theres the 1961 version, also lovely, but its sorely lacking the incredible presence of Lohan.
There are pranks in this movie that would blow away the cast ofJackass.
Though they look and dress similarly, their approaches couldnt be more different.
Charlie strives for perfection, and to create something nobody else has done.
Donald, on the hand, has no vested interest in art fortune is all he is after.
Directed by Spike Jonze and written by the real Charlie Kaufman,Adaptionis a resplendent and unpredictable odyssey.
Here, twins are more a gadget than definable characters, kept at a distance.
But that doesnt make the film any less spectacularly entertaining.
Bill has been roped into yet another one of his twins grand schemes.
No matter how far you go or who you become, its impossible to escape your destiny.
