The Double Conformity

Richard Ayoade’s The Double is a big meal to digest and it’s certainly not for everyone. While The Double does allow you to analyze deeper into the film or simply lay back and enjoy it, it futuristic and psychological style may leave some unsatisfied. This theme of conformity is shown throughout the entire film through coloring, costume, and actions. Nearly all of the characters wear bland colors such as greys and brown, emphasizing the lack of color and individuality in the world. Furthermore, all of the characters except for Simon and Hannah speak and move quickly, as if they are always rushing towards something, never pausing to enjoy the moment. These drab color, rush in conversation, and seemingly constant night in the world create a visual depiction of the loneliness and isolation Simon feels. Nothing seems to have meaning and everything moves past him without a thought. Only brief moments of colors appear in world, showing up in the action TV shows
Wilson commonly uses close ups of Simon and fast movements to create the experience of Simon’s life. The camera work makes you feel like you are in Simon’s thoughts and you’re a part of his introspections and reactions. The Double also uses many shots of Simon looking through things, frame within frame shots. This shot shows you how Simon is constantly an outside observer to the world. He isn’t a part of the world, just able to peer at it from afar. The director also uses color to show the feelings of the entire universe and the Simon’s feelings as the story changes. Often the coloring is greens and yellows, creating an unnatural and constantly strange feeling. It makes the movie feel out of this world and even sickly or moist at times. Yet, when Simon is uncharacteristically happy the colors become bright and saturated. Bright reds and yellows show the difference in Simon’s feelings when something good happens to