Double Impact
"One packs a punch. One packs a piece. Together they deliver..."
Two brothers separated by tragedy live in opposite worlds: one raised in Paris by a guardian after their parents' death, the other drifting through the streets of Hong Kong chasing small-time schemes. When Chad sees a photo of his estranged sibling, he travels across continents to find him and... Read more
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About Double Impact
Two brothers separated by tragedy live in opposite worlds: one raised in Paris by a guardian after their parents' death, the other drifting through the streets of Hong Kong chasing small-time schemes. When Chad sees a photo of his estranged sibling, he travels across continents to find him and believes their parents' killers are tied to a dangerous rival. He tries to pull Alex back into a life that mirrors their past, but Alex is wary of the newcomer and the motives behind his arrival. The brothers' uneasy reunion sets off a tense clash of loyalties, fueled by hidden connections and old vendettas. As they weigh past loyalties against danger, their choices threaten to fracture the bond they barely remember.
Released in 1991, the film was directed by Sheldon Lettich with a screenplay credited to Jean-Claude Van Damme, Peter Krikes and Steve Meerson, built from a story rather than adapted material. It arrived as a showcase for Van Damme's identity.
The movie grossed 30,102,717 worldwide against a 15 million budget, signaling modest but solid commercial success for an action thriller of its era. Its performance helped solidify Van Damme's bankability in the action market of the early 90s upon release.
Fans cite the dual performance as a hallmark of JCVD's early range, with rapid switchovers between Paris and Hong Kong. The film blends martial arts choreography with car chases and stunts that left a mark on 90s action thrillers. Its staged action and martial arts sequences helped define its era.
Reception was mixed, with praise for the fast pace and Van Damme's double performance, but some critics found the plot thin. The film probes identity and loyalty, comparing family bonds to street level crime while stacking action scenes against a glossy, 90s style backdrop in the wake of its popularity.
Details
- Release Date
- July 31, 1991
- Runtime
- 1h 50m
- Rating
- R
- User Ratings
- 1,167 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Thriller, Action, Crime, Drama
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- Stone Group Pictures +2 more
- Budget
- $15,000,000
- Box Office
- $30,102,717
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Alex / Chad Wagner
Geoffrey Lewis
Frank Avery
Alonna Shaw
Danielle Wilde
Bolo Yeung Sze
Moon
Cory Everson
Kara
Philip Chan Yan-Kin
Raymond Zhang
Alan Scarfe
Nigel Griffith
Andy Armstrong
Paul Wagner
Woo Fung
Chinese Nurse
Kamel Krifa
Mahjong Manager
Director: Sheldon Lettich
Written by: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Peter Krikes, Steve Meerson