Doppelganger
ADVENTURE COMEDY MYSTERY RELIGIOUS FOLKTALE SUSPENSE/THRILLER HISTORICAL FICTION DETECTIVE
Contemporary
Elizabeth Seninde
Logline
The story follows the journey of a writer who takes a holiday in Tibet and stays with the monestry in order to get a new understanding of life. On her return back to the city the philosophies she has learned take on a new scary twist.
Genre
Adventure,Comedy,Mystery,Religious,Folktale,Suspense/Thriller,Historical Fiction,Detective
Short Summary
In search for a peaceful mindset and greater understanding the character we follow in the story goes on a holiday but comes back with a philosophy which promises that she will begin to see the oneness in all things. However she starts to perceive that everyone in town is mimicking her.
By the end of the story, the writer finds that she is surrounded by doppelgangers who look exactly like her. Her reaction to this phenomenon ends with her in a mental institution in a psychological thriller. Perhaps though, there is something to this philosophy.
Setting
Tibet, and a large city like London or New York
Based on a True Story
Yes
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth,Quest,Voyage and Return
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age,Happy Ending,Meaningful Message,Philosophical Questions,Twist
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: Victoria
Age: 30
Gender: Other
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Confident,Empathetic,Faithful,Honorable,Outspoken,Skillful,Sarcastic,Masculine,Strong Moral Code,Modest
Additional Character Details
Name: Jesse
Age: Mid 30's
Gender: Female
Role: Antagonist
Key Traits: Aggressive,Crazy,Greedy,Insecure,Narcisstic,Power Hungry,Seductive,Masculine,Manipulative,Unapologetic
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Development Pitch
The story includes a few characters, where the bulk of the story takes place in a busy city. The story takes us on a number of strange encounters and experiences which open up a new perspective which we perceive from the protagonists point of view. However by the end of the story we see that this unique point of view begins to be shared by more than one individual. The office setting is where strange events begin to unravel. Philosophical and educating, but also a compelling psychological thriller.
Genre
THRILLER, SUSPENSE, DRAMA
Brief
Victoria notices that after her trip to Tibet, she starts to change into someone different. The problem is is that she feels she has little control over the person she is changing into. What's worse is that other people start changing into the same person as Victoria. She realizes the change and they think she is crazy until they too start to realize everyone is becoming the same person.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: FAIR
Characterization: FAIR
Commerciality: EXCELLENT
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: GOOD
Premise: EXCELLENT
Structure: FAIR
Theme: EXCELLENT
Accuracy of Book Profile
The book profile differentiates the characters while the narrative focuses on how the characters slowly blend together. By introducing the world before the trip it would be helpful to see how the scary homogenization really is when the differences are known. The short story is also listed as a comedy and a detective in its genre and there are no comedic moments in the short story nor is there someone trying to solve the case of the doppelgangers.
Draw of Story
This is a fantastic premise, like really stellar and the slow progression of similarities between the characters really increases the tension and draws in the culpability of Victoria's claims while also making her an unreliable narrator.
Possible Drawbacks
The psychiatrist angle narration jumps right into the skepticism an undermines that Victoria could be telling the truth. By Victoria slowly trying to ease back into her old life and slowly noticing the changes until she is forced to therapy by concerned coworkers despite her proof makes more chronological sense and maintains the suspense longer.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES HEAVILY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that everyone is doubting Victoria that everyone is turning into the same person until they slowly start to realize she is right. The lack of clarity whether Victoria's philosophy is reality or in her head is really a compelling line to draw.
Fanbase Potential
This could have a huge fanbase as a thriller because it deals with a unique mystical theme and is a fresh relatable commentary on "western individualism." If there is more emotional investment in the characters then this could definitely have a large horror audience.
Awards Potential
Given the scope of emotions mentioned this is unlikely to garner acting nominations, but depending on how much the characters and the homogenization is developed this might win anyways for the actor's ability to portray so many people but as themselves. This might win technical awards for the CGI needed to create multiple same people in single scenes.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
INCEPTION, WICKER PARK, US, COHERENCE, BLACK SWAN, DR. STRANGE
What’s New About the Story
The originality stems from the intricate psychological horror of doppelgangers telling you that doppelgangers don't exist. There is an unsure feeling as to whether she is being gaslit or the one who has lost her mind. Before playing with identity and reality it might be easier to notive the subtle changes and see the horror of the identity shift by establishing the world before establishing the mental health decline.
Lead Characters
The homogenous nature of everyone slowly morphing together shows that Victoria is only unique in that she is the first one to notice the change without doubting herself while the other characters take a while to notice they are all evolving to be alike.
Uniqueness of Story
The premise is a rare gem, but the structure and characters are underdeveloped to capitalize on the emotional investment to match the concept.
Possible Formats
Film - Studio, Film - Streaming, Film - Indie, TV Series - Limited Run / Mini-Series
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
While the story has many positive points, it has room for improvement (see possible paths below). If you can't change the story at this point, my suggestion is using your notes as a guide to highlight the best aspects of it when taking the next steps, either putting a pitch page together, a treatment, or a presentation.
Tips for Improvement
Adding more character development before everyone starts becoming the same would help know who is who when they are all the same. Restructuring the therapy session could maintain the surprise of the character potentially being right that everyone is adapting to be her longer.