Movie Reviews

‘Double Life’ (2023) review: Strong performances can’t save weak script

May 4, 2023

Double Life sounds like a movie that would have fit perfectly on a video store shelf in the 1980s. Sharon (Pascale Hutton, Ginger Snaps II: Unleashed) is mourning the recent death of her husband Mark (Niall Matter, The Predator). When his mistress Jo (Javicia Leslie, CW’s Batwoman) informs Sharon his death was no accident, the two form an unlikely alliance in search of the truth.

A wife and her dead husband’s secret lover working together is strange, but wacky partners have a rich cinematic history. The fact that they first meet at Mark’s funeral and almost immediately bond is a little much. That being said, the two have great chemistry and are the highlight of Double Life.

Unfortunately, the script cannot keep pace with its leads. The attempts to make Jo out to be a badass make sense (she learned self-defense from her security specialist ex) but are also ridiculous (she was taught Krav Maga, the Israeli martial art developed for the Israeli Defense Force). On the plus side, Leslie shows promise as an action star.

The mystery also falls flat, with the small cast not providing many suspects. This would not normally be a problem except the script does not develop any suspense leading to a predictably flat reveal. Double Life would have flowed more smoothly if the plot was more about Sharon and Jo getting to know each other.

Double Life is a perfectly acceptable thriller that keeps getting in its own way. Hutton and Leslie are a fun pair to watch and end up carrying Double Life. There is some decent action, but the film is never better than average thanks to its shaky script.