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Duplex
2003 89 min United States of America PG-13 18+
★5.9
Comedy
Director: Danny DeVito
Trailers
Description
When a young couple buys their dream home, they have no idea what the sweet little old lady upstairs is going to put them through!
Budget:
$40M
US Gross:
$9.69M
Worldwide:
$19.32M
Starring
Ben Stiller
Actor
Drew Barrymore
Actor
Eileen Essell
Actor
Awards
2 nominations total
Key opinion
Duplex is a polarizing dark comedy that splits audiences between those who find its wicked, elder-centric humor delightful and those who perceive it as a mean-spirited, poorly executed failure. While the performances, particularly Eileen Essell’s turn as the disruptive neighbor, are frequently praised, critics remain divided on the film's tone and its cynical, borderline grotesque approach to the premise.
| Acting | Eileen Essell delivers a standout, energetic performance as the mischievous elderly neighbor that anchors the film's conflict. | |
| Screenplay | The plot, centered on a couple's escalating feud with their tenant, is praised for its clever, dark twists, though some find the narrative logic and character motivations thin. | |
| Direction | Danny DeVito’s direction is recognized for successfully balancing black comedy with suspense, yet others criticize the technical execution, citing errors like visible microphones. | |
| Acting | Ben Stiller’s performance is a major point of contention, with some viewers finding him comedic and relatable, while others label his acting as wooden and lacking in emotional variation. | |
| Humor | The humor divides viewers; fans appreciate its avoidance of typical low-brow tropes in favor of cynical wit, while detractors find it crude, grotesque, and mean-spirited. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the pacing are split: many find the film effortless and highly rewatchable, whereas critics argue it suffers from significant lulls and an unresolved, anticlimactic finish. |