Double Walker just missed the cutoff to be part of the Halloween season. This may work out for the better as it is unlike any other ghost story that may have been seen in October. The quiet film’s themes of loneliness and family are not new to the genre, but the way and manner in which it is told makes it stand out. The script also takes some interesting risks with mixed results.
The movie is about a ghost (Sylvie Mix) that reflects on life while also dealing with the circumstances that led to her death. While following a man home, she meets a kind theater owner named Jack (Jacob Rice). This chance encounter causes her to reconsider some of her recent choices. But is it enough to make her leave behind her own thoughts of vengeance?
Double Walker makes the brave decision to give Mix very little dialogue. The vast majority of time is spent with her character and there is the chance that audiences will not get to know her well enough. Thankfully, the strong writing prevents this from being a problem. Told through a series of cryptic flashbacks, the plot gives clues into the unnamed ghost’s past and insight into why she is making certain decisions. Double Walker wants to be a story that is felt instead of one that is simply told.
This works for the most part. Double Walker moves at a patient pace that allows time to take everything in. There is a sense of doubt and grief that permeates things and the story becomes tragic as more is revealed. The way the plot is laid out also ends up working against the film. Aside from the ghost, none of the characters are given much depth. Strangely, this is not the biggest problem. This is about one person trying to overcome tragedy, after all. What does end up impacting Double Walker is the ending. It is too open to interpretation leading to a confusing ending that almost works against the rest of the film.
Double Walker debuts in theaters and on demand November 12
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