The Devil's Double
A chilling vision of the House of Saddam Hussein comes to life through the eyes of the man who was forced to become the double of Hussein's sadistic son.
The film financial setback against its respectable budget of $19.1M, earning $5.7M globally (-70% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its distinctive approach within the drama genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Devil's Double (2011) demonstrates meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Lee Tamahori's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 49 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Latif Yahia is an Iraqi army lieutenant during the Iran-Iraq War, shown as a respected soldier with honor and integrity, living under Saddam's regime but maintaining his personal dignity.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Latif is abducted and brought before Uday Hussein, who reveals he has chosen Latif to become his body double due to their physical resemblance. This is not a request but a command.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Latif accepts his role as Uday's fiday (body double) after being shown his family will be killed. He crosses into the mirror world of the palace, sacrificing his identity to save his loved ones., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Latif witnesses Uday murder a man at a party by disemboweling him with an electric carving knife in front of guests, revealing the full psychopathic nature of his master. The stakes become life and death, not just survival. False defeat: Latif realizes there is no safe existence in this world., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Uday discovers Latif's relationship with Sarrab and his escape plans. Latif is beaten severely and told his family has been harmed. His carefully maintained facade crumbles and everything he cared about appears destroyed. Whiff of death: Latif nearly dies and believes his family is dead., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. During the chaos of the Gulf War and bombing of Baghdad in 1991, Latif sees his opportunity. He synthesizes his knowledge of Uday's world with his soldier's training and decides to escape or die trying, reclaiming his identity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Devil's Double's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Devil's Double against these established plot points, we can identify how Lee Tamahori utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Devil's Double within the drama genre.
Lee Tamahori's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Lee Tamahori films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Devil's Double represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Lee Tamahori filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Lee Tamahori analyses, see The Edge, xXx: State of the Union and Next.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Latif Yahia is an Iraqi army lieutenant during the Iran-Iraq War, shown as a respected soldier with honor and integrity, living under Saddam's regime but maintaining his personal dignity.
Theme
A character remarks on the nature of survival in Iraq under the Husseins: "In this country, you either belong to them or you are nothing." The theme of identity versus survival is established.
Worldbuilding
Establishes 1987 Baghdad, the opulent and terrifying world of Saddam's inner circle, Latif's military background, and the absolute power wielded by the Hussein family.
Disruption
Latif is abducted and brought before Uday Hussein, who reveals he has chosen Latif to become his body double due to their physical resemblance. This is not a request but a command.
Resistance
Latif initially refuses, is tortured and his family threatened. He debates the impossible choice: become Uday's double or watch his family die. He undergoes physical transformation including dental surgery and voice coaching.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Latif accepts his role as Uday's fiday (body double) after being shown his family will be killed. He crosses into the mirror world of the palace, sacrificing his identity to save his loved ones.
Mirror World
Latif meets Sarrab, Uday's mistress, who becomes his confidante and love interest. She represents the seductive corruption of power and will embody his thematic struggle between maintaining his soul and succumbing to the lifestyle.
Premise
Latif inhabits Uday's world of excess, witnessing orgies, violence, and depravity. He attends official functions as Uday, narrowly survives assassination attempts meant for Uday, and observes Uday's sadistic crimes including kidnapping schoolgirls.
Midpoint
Latif witnesses Uday murder a man at a party by disemboweling him with an electric carving knife in front of guests, revealing the full psychopathic nature of his master. The stakes become life and death, not just survival. False defeat: Latif realizes there is no safe existence in this world.
Opposition
Uday becomes increasingly unstable and violent. Latif begins secretly planning escape. Uday attacks Saddam's valet with a blade, causing a rift with his father. Sarrab grows closer to Latif but remains trapped. Latif's attempts to maintain his humanity put him in greater danger as Uday's paranoia grows.
Collapse
Uday discovers Latif's relationship with Sarrab and his escape plans. Latif is beaten severely and told his family has been harmed. His carefully maintained facade crumbles and everything he cared about appears destroyed. Whiff of death: Latif nearly dies and believes his family is dead.
Crisis
Latif is imprisoned and broken. Sarrab visits him, and he must process the seeming loss of everything. He confronts the full weight of his choices and what Uday's world has cost him.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
During the chaos of the Gulf War and bombing of Baghdad in 1991, Latif sees his opportunity. He synthesizes his knowledge of Uday's world with his soldier's training and decides to escape or die trying, reclaiming his identity.
Synthesis
Latif makes his escape attempt during the bombing. He confronts Uday one final time, shoots him (Uday survives but is wounded), and flees Iraq through the desert. Sarrab chooses to remain behind, unable to leave the life she knows.
Transformation
Latif reaches freedom, his identity restored. Title cards reveal he now lives in exile and wrote his memoir. In contrast to the opening soldier who served a dictator, he is now a free man who kept his soul, while Uday was later killed by US forces. The devil's double became his own man.