The Double

Retired CIA operative Paul Shepherdson is drawn back into the field when a senator is killed in a way that echoes the infamous Soviet assassin Cassius. He teams with Ben Geary, a sharp but green FBI agent who wrote his master's thesis on Shepherdson's hunt for Cassius. Convinced Cassius is resurfacing, Geary brings fresh urgency to the probe while Shepherdson faces a public reckoning about his past. Together they follow a trail of coded clues and hidden identities through a web of loyalties and lies. The pursuit becomes a clash between old methods and new tactics as the stakes grow higher, yet the truth remains guarded.

Directed by Derek Haas and Michael Brandt, The Double is their 2011 crime thriller debut as directors, built from an original screenplay. It features Richard Gere, Topher Grace, and Martin Sheen in a chase across government halls and shadowy streets.

Box office receipts were modest, with worldwide gross around 4.7 million against a 17 million budget, reflecting a limited release and niche audience.

Awards: The film did not receive major nominations or wins from the major awards bodies. Critics acknowledged solid work by Gere and Grace, and praised the directors' tight pacing, but the movie did not join the awards conversation.

Reception & Themes: Critics framed the film as a capable but conventional spy drama that leans on atmosphere and performances rather than high adrenaline set pieces. Key themes include loyalty versus legacy, the pull of past missions, and the tension between mentorship and independence.