Enemy: A Study of the Subconscious Mind
Dennis Villeneuve's Enemy (2014) takes us on a journey through the subconscious mind of a man in the midst of an identity crisis. Jake Gyllenhaal knocks it out of the park with two stellar performances - playing Adam Bell, a mild-mannered history professor and his doppelgänger, Anthony Claire, a suave, self-centered actor. In contrast to Villeneuve and Gyllenhaal's earlier collaboration and mainstream success Prisoners (2013), Enemy relies on symbolism and non-linear storytelling to deliver its message, demanding multiple viewings from the viewer to extract every layer behind the allegory.
Enemy is a contemporary masterpiece that incites discussion amongst ourselves by not offering any clear resolutions on a silver platter, making a more observant viewer out of us. …show more content…
Colin Covert of the Star Tribune phrases it perfectly in his review of Enemy, "“Enemy” is a bewilderingly skillful metaphysical thriller combining Swiss-watch engineering and surrealism, like one of Dali’s melted timepieces. I watched each gripping scene in a continuous state of “uh-oh.”".
Adam Bell, a history professor who seems to be cruising through life on auto-pilot as of late. One fateful day, he rents a movie recommended by a co-worker. That night, he decides to watch it only to discover an actor in the background of a scene who looks exactly like him. This sends him on a path for answers to find out who this man really is. Adam learns about Daniel St. Claire (Gyllenhaal), who goes by his stage name Anthony Claire, thus beginning an obsession to track down and confront his
Dennis Villeneuve's Enemy (2014) takes us on a journey through the subconscious mind of a man in the midst of an identity crisis. Jake Gyllenhaal knocks it out of the park with two stellar performances - playing Adam Bell, a mild-mannered history professor and his doppelgänger, Anthony Claire, a suave, self-centered actor. In contrast to Villeneuve and Gyllenhaal's earlier collaboration and mainstream success Prisoners (2013), Enemy relies on symbolism and non-linear storytelling to deliver its message, demanding multiple viewings from the viewer to extract every layer behind the allegory.
Enemy is a contemporary masterpiece that incites discussion amongst ourselves by not offering any clear resolutions on a silver platter, making a more observant viewer out of us. …show more content…
Colin Covert of the Star Tribune phrases it perfectly in his review of Enemy, "“Enemy” is a bewilderingly skillful metaphysical thriller combining Swiss-watch engineering and surrealism, like one of Dali’s melted timepieces. I watched each gripping scene in a continuous state of “uh-oh.”".
Adam Bell, a history professor who seems to be cruising through life on auto-pilot as of late. One fateful day, he rents a movie recommended by a co-worker. That night, he decides to watch it only to discover an actor in the background of a scene who looks exactly like him. This sends him on a path for answers to find out who this man really is. Adam learns about Daniel St. Claire (Gyllenhaal), who goes by his stage name Anthony Claire, thus beginning an obsession to track down and confront his