Enemy EXPLAINED - Movie Review (SPOILERS)

[@chrisjeremy8109]

One of my immediate thoughts was that the colour palette made the film feel sickly.

[@filipalilovitzsc]

It looks depressive

[@cinnamonsquash]

Mexico filter

[@krhodes02]

Yeah it always had a yellow tint

[@akiiirr]

righttt, i had an uneasy feeling the entire time

[@Sionare]

me too, i am breathless, the ambience of the filme came to me. But it is the purpose of Denis, to make the spectator feel bad.

[@xmadbonghitszx]

about to watch enemy for the second time. this time it'll be a farce.

[@josegustavo.]

+J. Adam Wilson dudeeeee you make my day!!!

[@arieldebarros]

+J. Adam Wilson hahahahah awesome comment!

[@headgraphix2011]

+J. Adam Wilson lmfaoooooooooooooooooooooo

[@doggotbitm]

+J. Adam Wilson i watched it once, hardly got it. i then read some theories and heard some interviewers from the director and cast, and rewatched it while trying to piece it together. by the end i got it, but now i feel i need to watch it a third time so i can go in there already having it mapped out in my head.

[@pureblackeagle]

I watched it a second time in less than a week and it was not a farce. It was so goddamn gripping. I realize you're making a joke, I'm just saying. Love this film.

[@CarlosRodriguez-se4lr]

I've spent more time reading explanations than actually watching the movie.

[@Acujeremy]

Carlos Rodriguez Like a Kafka novel where the commentary is longer than the actual novel.

[@xtrash1ove]

Carlos Rodriguez try Lost Highway :)

[@praztphoenixbonekboyz4653]

me tooo

[@georgeplunkitt5565]

If you notice, history teacher Jake always wears a watch and actor Jake always wears the wedding ring. In the opening scene, he is wearing both. I think that means the intro scene takes place after the events of the movie, since he has come to terms with both of his selves

[@gaila.9852]

Great observation and theory!

[@LaLaBlahBlahh]

Very observant! I’m sure you’re onto something

[@paPerPranath]

If you also notice at 11:08 in this video, this scene also has Jake wearing a watch and a wedding ring. Perhaps the scenes in which he has both are reality and the others where he only has one of them is his subconscious.

[@Ominouscustodian]

Agreed. Great catch

[@OliPop_Official]

Which could also imply it’s a loop, a pattern.

[@WeWatchedAMovie]

Damn. I just thought it was about Jake Gyllenhaal's regrets for not playing Spiderman.

[@ShogunShiv]

Why would he have regrets about that? Neither franchise is that great lol. They just would've been good paychecks for him but I'd rather see him in "real" movies instead of over-the-top money makers that are pointless films.

[@angrygreek1985]

Jake isn't the right actor for Spiderman IMO. I really like Jake as an actor but I just don't think the role suits him. I'd much rather see him in films such as this one.

[@ColinBrain]

YoShivFilms Yeah, like Prince of Persia

[@ShogunShiv]

Colin Brain Old movie

[@somethingclever4563]

WeWatchedAMovie haha brilliant

[@exk127]

I literally just finished watching this movie and immediately came to KZbin for some sort of explanation 😂

[@Awesomesmh1832]

Erina 99 me too!! i had to rewatch it twice lmao

[@ricardoosorno2086]

kkk me too

[@Javichin00led]

Me too but that ending scared me

[@صالحالقرني-ش9خ]

same as you xd

[@ChrisG0107]

Me too

[@madddie.]

i must be really dumb because i had absolutely no idea what had happened when i finished the movie

[@diavasmamevroxi]

nah many people were confused

[@terrenceanton3606]

Same here

[@awakefortwoweeks4770]

same

[@MePatra]

I was completely lost

[@zefanyaaprilia]

youre not alone

[@Jennifer_7600]

I believe the “opening scene” of Jake at the sex club actually happens at the “end” of the movie. He looks guilty and ashamed as he holds his hands over his eyes and peers at the spider. We’re seeing this on a loop; he has actually just left his wife at home after imagining her as giant, frightened spider, but can’t help himself and goes to the club anyway.

[@jacobmosios3015]

Woah

[@EsmeraldaMenchaca]

this was my thought as well

[@nicholasjensendemattos150]

What about the guy who let him into his apartment who was talking about the club? Were they there at another time before the end/beginning of the film?

[@EarlofSedgewick]

It is certainly a loop

[@1111comment]

and his fingers form a spider

[@Arkshija]

Awsome. Exactlly what I thought. I would add a couple of things. The car crash is not imaginary, he had that crash and thats why her wife and mum knows he had another woman, thats why hes always touching his neck with pain in his face, he has a scar, his mum call him very often.... He had amnesia, and even the other people knows this, thats why the other teacher recomends him his own movie, because he even forgot he was an actor.

[@faheemabuumar4247]

Also his wife becomes a mother!

[@AmenXenon]

Wtf.. I think you’re right. I’m a year late

[@IvanBodybuilding]

Wow this is a good theory!

[@jesseluke5798]

Would explain the scar, too

[@BigBalvin]

jesseluke And His Limp as As Teacher Jake

[@MzSoulll]

This explanation was so satisfying. Like a mind massage.

[@amberhester2317]

Good way to put it!

[@nikkibeacth]

your mother's favorite. Lol.

[@CJLOVE23]

Yes!

[@donniev8181]

What if the accident happened but the movie picked up after his physical recovery. Yet he was still struggling to recover from amnesia. Then we the viewers were invited to watch as both of those personalities were struggling and fighting to win out. After all, Utica the name on the key, is referred to as "the land that God forgot" here in the US.

[@PDoughboy22]

My right ear was also massaged without a pop-filter

[@sign543]

The ending scene almost made me faint. I did NOT see that coming at ALL. That was some serious, serious, serious jarring imagery.

[@MrBTBusch]

Fuking Freeked Me!!!

[@ErinJeanette]

Me too. Scared the hell out of me

[@dlerayd]

what happened ?

[@DrMattDestruction]

phoodahh I recommend watching it to find out yourself. I don’t know if you will ever see a scarier moment in film.

[@dlerayd]

DrMattDestruction I just watched it earlier after I commented and when I tell you I have never been more confused by a movie in my life

[@jimothy075]

The biggest indicator for me that they're the same person is when Actor Jake (AJ) visits Teacher Jake (TJ). TJ says he'll call the cops and AJ asks him what he'll tell them. When I watched it I kept thinking why could he not just tell them the truth but upon reaching the end I realized it was a big indicator that they are just the same person so calling the police would be pointless.

[@anomaly778]

Interesting, my mind went to thinking if he called the cops and said there's a stranger in his house, they wouldn't be able to believe him because they're clearly related.

[@timothyalan34]

@@anomaly778 same

[@Puppy_Puppington]

For me it’s the fact that the director or the Script has jake gylenhaal leave the view of the pregnant wife at school before answering the phone.

[@gaila.9852]

@@anomaly778 Being related to someone does not eliminate the possibility that they are a stranger to you.

[@SpaceMissile]

@@gaila.9852 ...or that you can have them removed from your property lol

[@brandon9089]

another thing!!!!!!! when history jake was undercover in actor jake’s apartment waiting for his pregnant wife, when he goes to the bookshelf to analyze the photo of himself, THERE ARE HISTORY BOOKS IN ACTOR JAKE’S APARTMENT!!!! when i saw that i was like “hmmm it seems like they’re maybe the same person”

[@Jalian2001]

they're the same person, he had that same picture with himself (shown earlier in the movie) but it was torn in half, and then in this scene we see the same photo except it wasnt torn, there was a girl in that picture.

[@CelebrityLyrics]

Exactly! Good observation

[@treytison1444]

Nice catch.

[@RussThe3rd]

The ending actually scared the shit out of me...I wasn’t expecting that lol

[@MrBTBusch]

Me 2

[@daylightghost13]

I was watching this at midnight! I was so freaked out haha

[@eliastasabia]

That's the same fear the character feels, strange enough I was on acid and my girlfriend was hugging me and looking in to my eyes and I felt trapped in a spiders web, and she became a spider, I realized then what schizophrenia is because i was so scared and it looked and felt real, I just cant take acid anymore with out having a bad trips and seeing some fucked up stuff.

[@PippaPPod]

Did not scare me at all. I was just, WTF?!

[@evao9172]

@@eliastasabia that sounds utterly terrifying

[@GoalieOfUnholy]

You forgot about one major theory.. The Scar. A popular theory is that the car accident really did happen, actually the very first thing that happened chronologically. When Mary notices the ring mark, she freaks out, not because he's Anthony, but because she just now finds out he's married. And the car accident is presumably how Helen finds out about the affair, and because of her pregnancy, they get back together. But then he goes to the Sex Show, and the women stomping on the spider is his marriage being destroyed, so they separate and this is when he gets a new apartment and gets back together with his mistress. So the key he finds in the end, is the very same key he uses in the beginning..

[@GoalieOfUnholy]

The Scar is from the car accident

[@toxicrhythmz3718]

wow thats one mind bending interpretation m8.

[@toxicrhythmz3718]

but how can he get back together with his mistress (mary) when the first things that happens chronologically is the car accident???

[@GoalieOfUnholy]

My theory is, after car accident he gets back with wife, (because she asks him if he's seeing her "again").. Then later on after Sex Show his marriage is destroyed (hence the stepping on the spider) so they separate, then he moves into his new apartment and starts seeing his Mistress AGAIN

[@GoalieOfUnholy]

So basically, after the very end, when he opens the letter containing the key, I think it's the same key being used in the very beginning of the movie.. So the end, comes right before the beginning.. Adding to the whole cycle repeating itself theory, the whole movie being a never ending loop..

[@brady1692]

It makes sense that jake gyllenhaal took the role in this movie seeing as his most famous film was Donnie Darko and that was very confusing

[@SLUSH_PUPPYY]

I feel like Donnie Darko made way more sense than this one did lol

[@courtney-cs7go]

@@SLUSH_PUPPYY definitely

[@miles307]

@@SLUSH_PUPPYY i’ve been rewatching that movie for 20 years and it still confuses me 😂

[@SLUSH_PUPPYY]

@@miles307 it’s just about time travel really lol

[@JasonPizzolato]

'Enemy' was a good movie about spiders taking over the earth. At the end, a man's wife turns into one of the big spiders. The man has a look of relief on his face because he likes to cheat on his wife, & since she has turned into a big spider, she won't be around anymore 'cause she'll be out terrorizing the city.

[@xnimmerx]

This made me laugh. I'm going to give this version to my gf =x

[@DivyeshHarit]

Love it :D

[@bemtikru]

you forgot to mention that spiders and canadians hate each other

[@tylertwiss8152]

Emeny, or as I like to call it "Eight Legged Freaks 2", was missing one key element - David Arquette. Give me Boyhood over this anyday.

[@angrytoast1497]

Nice interpretation, you're a very intelligent man lol

[@oglatte7505]

when she says "stay" i think she's referring to the history teacher jake and wanting him to stay. realizing he's come to being his genuine self

[@harryosborne8215]

why are multiple people commenting this, pretending that Chris didnt say that in the video?

[@nerdfn3561]

@@harryosborne8215 he didn’t. chris said that she said stay because she wants him to stay with her and not other women. and stay with their marriage

[@harryosborne8215]

@@nerdfn3561 I would watch this video again.

[@nerdfn3561]

@@harryosborne8215 u should

[@harryosborne8215]

@@nerdfn3561 no you should

[@vukarako]

YOU FORGOT TO MENTION: -After Adam(history teacher) watches the first movie he rented, he has a dream of that movie, and in that dream he sees a man with a spider web tie! -Also, When Adam goes to Anthony's(actor) house he looks at the shelves and sees the picture of Anthony with his wife(the same picture that Adam had in the begining but was torn in half), right beside the frame on the shelf are some books. The books are: Dynasties and Interludes, The Art of peace, Christ to Coke, First soldiers down, Hell in Flanders fields, The Astonishing General, Hidden in the Enemy's Sight, History in Reverse, Sailing Seven Seas(History of Canadian Pacific Line), Canada 1911,The Second World War. These are history books and Anthony has no need for history books. I just watched the movie and as soon as i saw the books and replayed what his mother told him, i understood that they are the sam man and he has a problem with cheating and living a double life. Cheers

[@bzporto]

Apparently 1911 is also the same year of the first "Where there's a will, There's a way".

[@axmeire]

Where do you put the radio news of the last scene in there?

[@GentlyUsedFrog]

He mentionned the photograph.

[@rahulsr]

Exactly same here man all I noticed was the books and then rewinded the movie again and everything was clear.

[@ajithmammen244]

Awesome reply

[@therealone_20]

That ending was more terrifying then 90% of horror movies.

[@Damascux_107_]

I swear to GOD

[@Cole444Train]

*than

[@raeesfowler7399]

Oh, I get it now. That's why Jake is playing Mysterio. He is going to kill SPIDER MAN!

[@yuhboi3467]

Yep

[@Richardseven75491]

😂😂😂

[@lewiscarter1229]

You absolutely wanted to mention Spiderman so you came up with a dumb and useless comment to do so, bravo.

[@tufungagreen5571]

@@lewiscarter1229 dont be so salty lewis

[@sam3490]

😂😂😂

[@Crimson_Screwball3446]

Jesus, that spider in the corner made my arachniaphobia 10000% worse...

[@behalm1982]

Same here bro, I almost died

[@ThatCrazyPickles]

For real I got goosebumps :/

[@jennyfromtheblock.7153]

behal m 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@MrBTBusch]

It was Awesome huh!

[@ilovebutterstuff]

Women scare me just as much as large spiders do. It's a problem. They both seem very alien and intimidating.

[@icarorossignoli]

This felt like therapy.

[@SustPandaAli]

I'm hoping for the sake of humanity that you were referring to the video! And not the movie.

[@allier1867]

when he talked to his mom thats when i only figured out that he's one person.

[@PaleBlueDott]

I feel stupid because instead of figuring it out, i was left more confused. I was thinking: "wow his mom thinks he's doing acting on the side, she can't understand there's another person who looks just like him, she's in denial probably" lol, how did I not put 1 and 1 together

[@fulfillingtv2918]

Lol yep

[@amiolachainani33]

I thought that she was talking to the actor version of him and was fully confused

[@Jpw333]

Dude I know it’s 4 years later after uploading this explanation and you probably won’t even see this but in case you do I just wanted to commend you on solving the extremely complex puzzle this film was. I just got done watching it and was perplexed to say the least. This led me on the hunt for clues to fill in all the blanks. I took to google and read through three long bullshit explanation articles that were all completely different and the farthest thing from accurate so as a last resort I hopped on KZbin and found this video and you hit the nail right on the head! Like removing a huge splinter from my toe, or better yet a eureka moment. Just wanted to give thanks and appreciation for such a great interpretation that made it all make sense.🙌

[@HaseebShafaqat]

people (like me) are still thinking about this movie. I spent more time on youtube than actually watching the film. The interpretations of people are amazing (especially this comment section)

[@Mind-Love-Self]

Jack Walsh same bro. He hit it right on the head. This movie was brain twister for sure

[@Jpw333]

Derek McGee one of the best movies I’ve ever seen for sure. My favorite kind of films are the ones that make you think👌👌👌

[@psychological8730]

@@Jpw333 Speaking of movies that make you think and spiders.. Have you seen David Cronenbergs "Spider" with Ralph Fiennes? I highly recommend it.

[@choosetolivefree]

@@Jpw333 If you already knew what was far from accurate and what was true, then why did you need someone to explain the movie to you? That doesn't make sense. Really it just sounds like you searched the net until you found someone who had the same interpretation that you did.

[@LennyTurner]

I just finished watching the movie and was a little confused so I went to KZbin to hopefully find answers and saw a 24 minute video by Stuckmann. You can't really get much better can you ;')

[@henriquefernandes3447]

same! I was like WTF!? somebody please explain. And of course, Stuckmann has the answer

[@DetectiveDerpy]

Lenny Turner 25 minutes

[@siqpuppie]

No lie. I wish he would do so many more of these....

[@beepboop8678]

i literally ran to the computer 3 seconds after the film btw loved the cute spider at the end ;P

[@suprashank]

Did the same!

[@Cypeq]

Movie is a mental loop that he's trapped in. The last scene where she's a spider... is the scene where we see her undressed in bed at beginning, and second after he goes to a club wearing same suit as in the end. So the true ending is at the beginning, it signifies the loop he's in, just as we thought he won the battle.

[@mikeoddball4478]

and realising this, for us , the audience, to go through the movie again in our minds is our own farce of the same tragedy..

[@knwr]

That would also make sense because his door man is with him, and he doesn't have a key. It looks like he's bringing him as a guest

[@SupaNovaLove21]

mhmm

[@artemijivanovich]

oh my f**king god, you have to be right O_o I like this explanation the most

[@Kirkenburer74]

YO! HOLY MOLEY I DIDN'T NOTICE

[@idknoob1234]

You can see the sunglasses Adam bought in the beginning of the film on Anthony’s table at 59:11. Same person.

[@johngarcia4780]

Oh shiit. Nice observation

[@idknoob1234]

Yashil Verma 59 minutes and 11 seconds into the movie.

[@braeling3677]

Wow I watched this so many times and never caught that.

[@SaiKiran-jw9dz]

Damn girl this proves everything, crazy as shit

[@Grace-ig7vm]

WOW, nice!Never noticed that!

[@anibala.moralessanchez8018]

You are your own worst ENEMY.

[@HeavenOrHell74]

exactly

[@alfredobrown5053]

Amen

[@Axolotl_Mischief]

Bingo.

[@137cloud]

now it make sense. DAMN.

[@biznubizzness4783]

how did I not notice that till now?

[@MadsMedia]

This is a very good explanation, but it's missing some fine-tuning. The spiders aren't women, so much as the responsibility of commitment -- that's why the spider imagery, for the most part, is physically shown to be above him. The wires above Toronto, the woman on the ceiling, the enormous spider walking through the city -- he is terrified of commitment, and it is shown to be *literally* hanging over him. At the beginning, he's at a sex show which features spiders, as he is getting off on being disloyal. It's important that a woman crushes the spider, because it shows how he's rejecting the responsibility of commitment using other women. The reason a huge spider is shown immediately after his conversation with his mother is because she's encouraging him to be loyal to his wife, and the responsibility of being committed is larger than ever and looming over him. The reason his wife is a huge spider at the end is because now that he's destroyed the disloyal part of himself (perhaps), the responsibility of being committed to his wife is suddenly very real, very present, and right in his face. That's why he looks resigned and disappointed. The dictatorship theme is also important -- he talks about control, and the subduing of individuality and expression. Clearly this is a metaphor for his wife, who he belives to be controlling, and subduing his freedom of expression; this is obvious when she accuses him of cheating again and he yells at her. He's very clearly frustrated with how controlling his wife is, just like a dictatorship. When he walks past the images of the man doing the salute, it's showing that even when he's by himself, the dictatorship is always present.

[@andrewbone85]

Wow good insight. I think your take makes the ending make the most sense. The spiders are actually manifestations of his own feelings.

[@user-mf1rz9mn3l]

i have a question, so melanie di laurent's character actually dies or that's just jake's imagination to come to terms with his infidelity?

[@TonyPerkinsChannel]

You got it! This guy was onto something but you hit it on the head

[@melody8923]

Yes, Jake is afraid of commitment and the responsibility it brings, and the spiders are a symbol of that - but I think they stand for more than just his fear of commitment. I think they are also a symbol for his relationships with the women in his life, not only with his wife, but other women as well. He is afraid of losing control, and to him, all the women in his life seem to try to take away his control, some more, some less. I don't think it is a coincidence that the spider we see after his conversation with his mother resembles so closely the art piece of the mother spider that is being referred to in the video. All the other spiders we see throughout the movie are a different type of spider, but this one absolutely looks like the sculpture of the mother spider. His mother has very clear opinions of him and his life and she does not hold back expressing them to him. She is towering over him and she is influencing his life, telling him what to do and what not to do - trying to control him, in his mind. He feels trapped and threatened by that, which is also why he avoids her calls. The woman with the spider head in his dream is another example of how he feels threatened and controlled by women - even by the ones that he uses to break free from his regular life. He doesn't glorify them, but instead he sees them as a new potential threat. His desire for them is not just a way to escape his responsibilities as a husband, it is also controlling him, and it has the potential of disrupting his life completely, if he keeps giving in to it. Ultimately, following his desires does not seem to set him free, but instead he seems to be scared of falling prey to a different kind of spider. I think this particular spider shows how conflicted he in fact is about cheating and going behind his wife's back. With his wife in the end, I think it is very important to note that the spider she turns into in Jake's mind is not just overwhelmingly huge, as is the commitment that she represents, but it's also scared of him. The timing is also crucial: He has just decided to go back to the sex club, where spiders get crushed, where Jake dissociates from his life as a husband and soon to be father. The spider that represents his wife and his life with her and all the responsibility that comes with that shrinks back from Jake in fear, because Jake has just decided to go back to doing things that might eventually destroy his relationship with his wife - and crush it.

[@mattbaker8787]

It doesn't make the ending any less scary. At least for me, I'm an arachnophobe. :P

[@Kujakuseki01]

The "The film ends with him missing a call from his mother" and the film begins with him "receiving a voicemail from her". Jesus fucking Christ. That statement exploded my brain.

[@kvnkevinman]

So does that mean the movie technically starts all over again?? Like he says 'this is a pattern that repeats itself throughout history' so once it ends you could watch it again and its just another cycle in his life. My brain hurts.........

[@Kujakuseki01]

In a way. Metaphorically. He is repeating this pattern because this sociaopathy is so deeply embedded in his psychoses he is unable to break free, though it is different each time he repeats.

[@kvnkevinman]

I see, still hard to grasp though. That's probably what makes it so good.

[@Ambir91]

Kujakuseki01 (spoiler of another movie*) kinda like Memento Loop? yeah..

[@Ambir91]

strontiumXnitrate i guess you are so right

[@shazzbutter]

Easily one of the most underrated films I've seen. Hopefully in time Enemy will be fully appreciated.

[@kankerkebs15]

There was one thing you briefly touched upon in your great analysis. I think that the fact that he hasn't been to the talent agency in 6 months also had a lot to do with the fact that a "respectable job" was prioritized en lieu of his passion for acting. This really furthers the theme of fatherhood and commitment, where a man has to give up his dreams in order to provide for his family.

[@iraklipirveli]

wow, spot on, such a great comment

[@javierdager]

remember that the talent agency building is where he got the package that contain the key to the sex club

[@pedropolin]

God damnit that spider at the end scared the shit out of me

[@dose143]

Me too but when i found out how it was in fear for being squashed by Jake, i felt sorry for it.xD

[@hammertlme]

+Hammington DC it appears alot of people thought that was scary. I watched it with my parents, none of us were scared, we just raised our eyebrows like what in the fuck just happened...

[@HelLo-dl4ne]

+Hammington DC true dat man. i immediately took the headphones off an turned on the light damn man didn't expect that.

[@harryw7355]

+Hammington DC SAME, MY FACE WAS CLOSE TO THE SCREEN AND THEN WHEN I SAW THE SPIDER I SHOUTED "WHAT THE FUCK" AND JUMPED

[@Uroste]

+Hammington DC But it is true, they are more scared of us.

[@davefs25]

wow man youre a really good reviewer. awesome breakdown. off to watch your new videos

[@jdavidruizjr]

The key has the word "Unica", which means only one or only woman. At the end the Spider/Wife does not answer him because she thinks/fears he is reverting again.

[@jerrydelgado3684]

Because just like history it will repeat itself

[@Bobiverti]

Also if you notice History Jake “girlfriend” always wears the exact same clothes (black dress), meaning she only visits History Jake for a hook up before going to work the next day. Not very relationship like. ----- I think the spider especially the wife, the reason she backs up against the wall is because she’s afraid that after the passionate night they had he’s going back to his routine of long nights at a private club. ALSO, this is a stretch but maybe the reason he created the split persona is because he never received the key that was waiting at his talent agency (I think that was the place). And he hasn’t been there in months. The key is obviously something needed to access the club something the door man / security guard never got. Even longer stretch: Maybe the beginning of the film of actor jake being at the club is actually the true ending of the film. He covers his eyes as the spider (his marriage) is about to be destroyed after the night he spend with his wife, and destroying his other half. However, during that scene the security man is here.. meaning it might be at the actually beginning of the film or jake really did get him back into the club (maybe as a thank you?). And the security guard being at the club was just to throw the viewer off. xo

[@nurmadihahbintizulkifli1734]

hahahahaha this is a fun one too XD

[@JoseLopez-ds1hv]

Bruh you just blew my mind. I think you're right the beginning of the film is actually the ending.

[@ImEnhalos]

also when the "girlfriend" enters jake the history teacher's apt and Jake tries to kiss her for a bit longer she immediately pulls aways (some thing a hook up would do)

[@Limitless_Flowers]

I think that his "mistress" always wears the same clothes because this is the outfit she was wearing in the only memorie he has of her. Maybe he actually cheated once with her in reality and he continued the affair in his mind. And the car crash would represent the end of this imaginery affair.

[@michaelmoyer1762]

I'm not sure if the words "beginning" and "ending" even apply to this film. Adam's lecture about history repeating itself makes me think it's circular. Which would make sense since it's by Villeneuve, who went on to direct Arrival a few years later.

[@AleksMP]

And the key has "Unica" engraved on it, which means "only", "single", "alone". He wants to be single and his wife wants to be the only one. And he is the only one with the key to both personalities. Nice touch!

[@totesjokin5354]

Ooor that's something engraved on keys so you can't make copies of it XD

[@meeneasy]

totes jokin or copy and engrave again 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@JonahUniverse]

I just watched it. I doubt you will see this since this video is 6 years old but you absolutely NAILED it with this analysis. I honestly didn't understand the movie much at all but you put everything perfectly into place. I also saw Angel's Egg recently and had a similar experience. You have a great analytical eye, Chris.

[@Sandra-wj4on]

Excellent explanation! Although I believe Jake will never change. My reason for believing this? The reveal of the spider web crack in the windshield after the car crash in Jake's mind. Although it seemed as if Jake had mentally overcome his battle by "killing" his cheating alter-ego self, the spider-like design indicated his subconscious was telling him he was once again trapped. That eventually he will desire to be free from his wife's web again.

[@felizkodie5328]

Basically this is shutter island and fight Club combined

[@szkokee]

Yepp well made movie but those are still too fresh and iconic to me. So this left me empty. However this is a good one to relate to for men who cant commit.

[@tsoidone5181]

enemy better.

[@braeling3677]

adam arroyo Bruh Fight Club is a CLASSIC. And Shutter Island is just as good if not better. Leo killed that role.

[@jordanlonsdale9468]

OK mind blown.

[@paranoidandroid8278]

Fucking love those 2 movies

[@shawnfella]

I thought the thing was a study of how spiders can make a bad person quit eating blueberries forever and become reborn as a good person. Also, the relationship between mothers and blueberries was examined. Also, I think it established that if your pregnant wife secretly eats your blueberry stash, she will turn into a giant spider. I'm not sure if this was intentional.

[@fr9611]

Hehe, awesome.

[@SpaceMissile]

I think you're onto something...

[@ashb7]

Also a subtle but clever anti-tourism campaign against Toronto, I felt. I know I certainly won't step foot in that city now that I know there are giant spiders meandering about, no thanks. And I also applaud Dennis Villanev for bringing this fact to light when the mainstream media seems determined to cover it up.

[@miles307]

as i was reading. this i was starting to believe it 😂

[@AbrahamHerrera1589]

THE KEY SAYS ´UNICA´ MEANS 'ONLY ONE' IN SPANISH

[@dagfinissocool]

meaning he can't bring guests like he could before..

[@rajansonvane488]

nice

[@muffinalcioccolato]

In italian too

[@adammarks8289]

Hints to the audience that there is really only one Jake gyllenhall, the other is in his head

[@totesjokin5354]

lol Jesus people, it just means you can't make copies of it..

[@gavinhenderson7250]

I took the spiders as representing guilt. The guilt over being at the sex club, the guilt over his desire to be unfaithful, the spider above the city representing the guilt following him above the city as he navigates the possibilities of infidelity and the spider at the end representing the guilt of him considering going back to the club.

[@harryosborne8215]

Goes back to what Chris said about there are correct and incorrect interpretations. The poster about "attack of the 50 ft woman" was intentionally picked, and there's a 50 foot spider roaming the city. I was kinda surprised Chris didnt mention that specific tie.

[@Yoriichi_Tsugikuni___]

On internet they say Tarentulas represents dangerous situations that should not be taken lightly before they start to get even worse 🤷‍♂️

[@antebagaric1970]

@@harryosborne8215 Except that spider was actually much much bigger than just 50 feet.

[@harryosborne8215]

@@antebagaric1970 nuance isn’t your thing I guess

[@antebagaric1970]

@@harryosborne8215 Well, it doesn't sound like a nuance to me, but a wrong symbol. The giant spider represents his mother; attack of the 50ft woman represents some other woman, perhaps one which he lusts after. While is mom is an overaching presence that he feels and knows since before he became aware of himself. That was my point, that the giant spide and 50ft woman weren't the SAME symbol, but different ones.

[@waykool698]

I was stoned, and randomly searched Jakes films. Found this one without knowing what it was about, and when I finished it, I still didn't know what it was about.

[@dariojuric4833]

Why?

[@davidlecorchick8864]

Kind of describes your voting habits as well.

[@amannoobs]

@@davidlecorchick8864 not everyone votes dumbass

[@n3dstark929]

maybe the giant spider at the end(his wife) made so big to show that he cant kill it and that he cant escape his wife and the family he will have.

[@ThePaigeturner53]

I wouldn't want to be in the delivery room when she goes into labor.

[@celestegarcia923]

N3d Stark It’s depressing and dark the way some men are absolutely terrified of the idea of a loving wife and child.

[@Totalfreedomliving]

Shy Shinoda you have a ton of baby spiders in you now, waiting to hatch.

[@Totalfreedomliving]

Shy Shinoda *Bad LSD trip intensifies*

[@tylerbubb7853]

N3d Stark his mother is the even bigger spider because she is controlling in a way as we see in the movie yet he cannot escape/kill her because its his own mother.

[@joaovaranda4759]

I read the book it's based on immediately before watching the movie ("The Double" by the Nobel Prize laureate José Saramago), and it has no spiders and a very different conclusion. Villeneuve definitely created his own thing.

[@adriiangucciduarte8712]

What was the conclusion referred to ?

[@adriiangucciduarte8712]

What was the conclusion referred to ?

[@WhytheBookWins]

I read the book before seeing the movie and in the book I didn't think of them as being the same person whereas the movie clearly shows them as being the same person. But now that I've seen the movie, did I misinterpret the book? I don't want to give book spoilers, but the phone call received at the very end had me confused. Anyone that can explain? Also the book talks a lot about monkfish, I'm assuming there is some symbolism there?

[@matias9158]

he also added a spider in his dune movie

[@plutomaxwell]

@middle aged man in extreme debt probably cause your mind can paint a better picture!!

[@seencapone]

Good catch with the symbolism of the spiders. The monster spider looming over the city is obviously a reference to the artist Louise Bourgeois’ sculpture series ‘Maman’, which is her most famous works and not even begun until she was in her 80s. According to Bourgeois the spider was a symbol of motherhood and femininity, but despite their monstrous appearance represented industriousness and protection as well as fierceness.

[@krabman2889]

All I can see is Jerma fighting it

[@jampubharadwaj6930]

One more observation on the side. Actor Jake takes Melanie to the same hotel as the one where he asks the Teacher Jake to meet him..

[@keretaman]

Seems he goes there frequently... I had a feeling the woman walking there was a prostitute.

[@Sandra-wj4on]

I've got to rewatch this movie, but I thought it was the apartment school teacher Jake rented when him and his wife split. I think he never got rid of it and was going back and forth between the two places because he still had that split personality until the end of the movie.

[@theONLYsunwolf]

Another thing about his wife becoming a spider at the end. She's pregnant, so technically she has 8 limbs. 4 of her own and the baby's 4. Same as a spider. Clever. Cheers.

[@yasminhusain213]

Nope

[@Goofyattack]

Hold this L

[@ErebosGR]

Or maybe the movie is an adaptation of Monster Musume.

[@xylin3683]

Coincidence

[@soufxn]

Wait till you find out how many legs ACTUALLY have instead of 4!!!

[@Sarah-qp1qp]

can we just agree to the fact that Gake Gyllenhaal is a masterpiece

[@WildBillHickums]

Who?

[@baronsengir187]

Never dissapoints

[@fardeenshaikh507]

Its not Gake Gyllenhaal, its Gake Jyllenhaal

[@skylar4390]

Is this some underrated actor? Never heard of him

[@aweyGVX]

@@skylar4390 what???

[@jarjared3522]

Coming back to this video after Dune Part 2 and Denis Villeneuve was indeed the right person to adapt my favorite book.

[@AphieDuo]

It's insane how it seems so complex throughout but turns out to be so simple in the end.

[@aaronpaananen8977]

It's really not simple whatsoever, did you even watch the fucking movie?

[@AphieDuo]

Aaron Paananen Yes, and it is. You just need to look past the complications lmao

[@aaronpaananen8977]

Jake Hawes In which doing so, making it not even remotely simple...

[@AphieDuo]

Aaron Paananen well watch it again

[@AphieDuo]

Jordan Belfort I wasn't stating that the entire movies complexity was cancelled out by the ending, simply that the easier to understand ending was somewhat contradictory to the other parts. What does baffle me however, is how somebody could possibly be so bored with their life that they feel the need to attempt to upstage mere comments on a KZbin video.

[@PaulRees77]

Excellent analysis. After having my own WTF moment at the end of the film I have since watched this video and can say it is the most complete, and I believe correct, analysis of Enemy. Great movie. Thanks for this.

[@ccayco]

You know what Chris, I realized I look forward to your EXPLAINED videos as much as I do for Plinkett review videos. Keep up the good work.

[@conordunne8938]

That ending is honestly something else, one of the scariest yet not scariest endings ive ever seen.

[@voidprism_studios666]

Is it possible this movie isnt in chronological order? I.e. the car crash is how he got his scar & the beginning is actually the end of the movie?

[@MrJaninja]

Correct, it's not. It's looped back to see the conflict or struggle of the main character's standpoint of view. But most of the scenes can be considered as more memories.

[@tomhegean6669]

But what about the pregnant wife knowing about that guy ?? It wouldn't make sense if they where memories of the past

[@katetoms5498]

+Lord And Savior ConorMcgregor that's the only place I'm stuck with explanation

[@voidprism_studios666]

Lord And Savior ConorMcgregor At which part?

[@MasKistershi]

I agree that the car crash happened earlier. It's used as a memory to kill off unfaithful Adam. And yes it's most likely how he got the scar.

[@M1nus_p]

The car crash happened. That's what the scar came from. The second life was memories, not imaginary.

[@limitlesssky3050]

Ah ok makes sense, they actually went through a car crash hence the scar, so maybe the actor jake was actually going through his memories.

[@donniev8181]

Or did the car crash come first? Then the movie picked up after Adam's physical recovery but as he was still dealing with amnesia or a head injury. Hence why he had the scar to begin with. Then we the viewers were invited to watch as both personalities were struggling to win out. After all the name on the key, Utica, may be a reference to the Utica here in the US. Which was given the nickname "the land that God forgot".

[@josephsalavtore5790]

Maybe but why he(the teacher) is not wearing his ring anymore

[@AfonsoCL]

@@donniev8181 It says "Unica". It's a key company lol.

[@donniev8181]

@@AfonsoCL yes, just a key company to soft brains.

[@BTCBlizzy]

Gotdamn man, were you a writer on this film? Lol i just watched it and searched several explanations, none satisfying my curiosity. I then determined I didn't like the movie. That is until i saw this explanation, and it fits. Half way into this video i figured he is the Enemy. Great breakdown. I'm still not sure why people were scared at the ending lol it was more of a wtf moment for me.

[@Kprywatne]

I'm guessing in a dark movie theatre on a big screen that scene would cause a panic. I happened to watch this in bed alone in the dark on my big screen thinking this was just an interesting doppelganger movie when that scene happened and I just froze with my pupils dilated and everything.

[@AviArtCraft]

***** yeah, I was frightened too... but Jake's expression was plain which confused me. I was thinking what kind of stupid movie is this, until I found this explanation. What an analysis Chris... Thank a lot.

[@NincsTobNev]

I too decided that I didn't like the film, until watching this review!

[@BTCBlizzy]

NincsTobNev crazy, right?

[@KillSwitch66627]

I'm not terribly scared of spiders but the ending made me shit a brick. Mainly because I was expecting an extra scene where adam actually goes to the sex show thing and then that happened out of no where.

[@mrmonar5]

Very interesting. It's amazing how relatable this is to human life. Repeating mistakes, accepting flaws, most of dealing with these things. Something else with Spiders really is that they are fear-inducing. The end of the film could also kind of focus on facing the fear of his commitment and leaving it all behind, all the fantasies and all of this pretend stuff, the parts of him wanting to be the guy that can do what he wants, and the parts that he himself is afraid of leaving behind. We all try to hold onto something of ourselves because we don't want to lose who we believe we are. So I really think that as much of a farce that this could be, it could be him, trying to accept that this thing that he fears, this marriage, his wife that is preventing him to be the actor, giving up on his dreams and also his vices to face responsibility.

[@krayzieegg7294]

I think actor jake accident scene is the past thats why he ask if teacher jake have the scar. probably the accident happened around six months ago or more and that screwed up his head and both jake and the mistress survived. Thats when i think his wife found out about his mistress or maybe knew it already, but still forgave him for cheating because they were having a baby and thats why she was kinda paranoid if he was seeing the mistress again when teacher jake called actor jake. The spider at the end i think is a symbol of his real life and that his mind is now back in reality. Spider web like figure on the wrecked car window probably was the last thing he saw before his brain got messed up thats why the spiders are important its like his brain is telling him that this is your past or life, remember. He is just a cheater and a bad husband thats all and probably now he's brain is back he is back again to what he's been doing. Before the accident

[@ashiqkv218]

krayzie_E soBreezy that's a good breakdown

[@ElArlequin]

That's my thought as well.

[@captainjakemerica4579]

Wait a minute I thought actor Jake and History teacher Jake were the same person and the character names are Adam and Anthony

[@CondemnedLegacy]

Nah that car accident would have killed them both. Brilliant breakdown, but I'm pretty sure that scene was him killing off actor Jake in his mind/subconcious (the unfaithful version of himself), meaning the car crash never actually happened; you can tell because during this scene it kept cutting back to him in bed making love or whatever to his actual wife - he had the strength to commit to his wife, only for the pattern to repeat itself (as was foreshadowed) in the form of him planning to visit the weird naked woman spider show. This is when he walks in on his wife as the giant spider (highlighting how he is caught in the web of oppression again, with no freedom.

[@jamesmarco1286]

This is a very good point!

[@traceydelfs2657]

ahhh, the internet is a magical place! Came here directly from the movie on Netflix - questions answered - now inspired to re watch Lost Highway after many years, just to round out the evening of mystery. Awesome explanation, thanks Chris!

[@CiruAnna]

Lost highway is the reason I kind of understood this movie before coming to read reviews.

[@itsthebats]

Some part of me was telling myself that his wife knew History teacher Jake was in the house. The way she looked at him misteriosuly yet accepting when she walked in, the way she kept analyzing him to the point that she was noticeably deciphering his awkwardness as a tell-tale sign of him not being himself, or in other words not being actor Jake. When she asked him if he was going to sleep, then let him lay down awkwardly and then asked him if he was going to take his clothes off as if she had to walk him through this because she knew history Jake was present, and still through out this scene she's scanning him trying to come to terms with whats happening. At first i thought she was gonna scream or call the police the very moment he slips up. However, I knew i was wrong once she asked him how was School. Your 100% right. Jakes character is going through a mental slip of identity in this film and his wife knows this. That is why she was so comforting to him when she arrived to History Jake in the apartment because this is the identity she prefers thats why she pleaded him to stay when they made love key word love not sex like with his mistress. Nonetheless, great fucking job man you def. turned my hunch into a full-blown answer. THANK YOU!

[@blackngoldcuttlefish3390]

"That is why she was so comforting to him when she arrived to History Jake in the apartment because this is the identity she prefers thats why she pleaded him to stay" exactly!! he was actually nice and caring to her, asking if she needed anything...clearly not something the "actor" Jake does

[@jasonleetaiwan]

The question is who was Jake the next morning? Was he back to being actor Jake or was he still history teacher Jake? He sees the key and wants to go to the sex party. When he asks her if she has something to do, does this mean he has become actor Jake again?

[@aussielung]

I think the next morning he was reverting back to actor Jake. The wife turning into a spider and backing up in fear is her realising that the actor Jake personality is back. There is an interview with Gyllenhaal talking about how he did different things with his eyes when playing the two characters and that the reason history teacher Jake wears sunglasses is because of the old eyes are the windows to the sole philosophy. So to disguise himself as actor Jake he needed to cover his eyes because that would be the tell that he is history teacher Jake. If you look closely at the scene when he finds the key you can see his eyes change from history teacher Jake (who has a sort of bewilderment or panic look in his eyes) to actor Jake (more confident, almost a steely glare). Its subtle but it's there. I noticed it on my second viewing of the film. EDIT TO ADD: Actor Jake is the real Jake. History teacher Jake is who he feels he should be.

[@dalilaguerrero8636]

aussielung what???? This whole time I thought he was really a history teacher trying to be actor jake omg

[@aussielung]

Dalila Guerrero he is both. His is a failed actor that now teaches history. The job titles are just used to differentiate the personalities.

[@iamSeanBrowne]

Probably watched this (as well as the film) 3x or more now - such a great companion piece to a true masterpiece Sir - thank you. Love your work, your channel, and would love more essays like this btw. Huge thanks x

[@TomChatalbash]

Finished watching the movie less than an hour ago, BLEW ME AWAY. I completely agree with your interpretation of the movie, every point. I love movies that make you think and give subtle clues to its concealed meaning. Cannot wait to watch it again.

[@HYLOBRO]

Check out "YMS Thoughts on Enemy + Analysis" Just for a different opinion on the films meaning.

[@budd1669]

Only looked for this video because I was confused by Helen being a spider at the end it didn't even cross my mind that both Jakes were the same person until I watched this lmao

[@fizashaikh6375]

Same !!!

[@AfonsoCL]

But that's... The whole implication during the movie...

[@makingtechfriendly]

same

[@makingtechfriendly]

apes together strong

[@danielstrong9187]

@@AfonsoCL he’s just saying that like without looking up a review, he would’ve went forever thinking they were two people

[@Vincent3stacks]

Loved the movie and this video. The only thing I noticed that I would love to put out as an idea is the scared spider at the end; What anyone else would have seen was the wife backed up against the wall or seated on the toilet silent and in shock. She reacts as the spider because she realizes before he comes in, that everything they went through in the movie was pointless as soon as she hears (probably for the hundredth time) "I think I need to go out tonight", knowing that he is going out to be unfaithful. In the end they see each other as they truly are. The wife, the scared spider that needs to be squashed, and the husband, the man who sees her as nothing more than just that. That's how I interpreted the ending.

[@liamfisher90]

I just watched your ‘I can’t do this without you’ video.. and it inspired me to come back to where it all started for me with your channel! This was the first video on your page I found.. about 5 years ago, been subscribed and along for the ride ever since. It’s amazing to see how far you’ve come and now on the road to directing your own movie. What an inspiration you are. Your attention to detail and enthusiasm for films and filmmaking is something I never get tired of watching. Thank you for all your content and the many lessons to be learned from watching them. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️

[@vietnamd0820]

The movie is a metaphor about entertainment versus education. Anthony was an entertainer and Adam is an educator. Adam gives us a history lesson that entertainment has been used to control the masses. Adam tells his coworker that he's not into movies. But then Adam becomes obsessed with his former self as Anthony. The character of Adam/Anthony symbolizes society's cycle of obsession with entertainment at its low point and focus on education at its peak.

[@vietnamd0820]

VietnamD0820 What's also interesting about Enemy is Adam's lesson to his students about Hegel and Marx. Both men are famous for their focus on what's known as "the dialectic" meaning the "unity of opposites". You have two opposite forces - entertainment and education - embodied in one man Adam/Anthony. There is a relationship between education and entertainment. Art and music help students become more successful in other subjects.

[@sodajoke348]

Um... No. It's not as simple as education against media

[@vietnamd0820]

I agree the movie is not as simple as entertainment against education but it is a theme that is bluntly stated twice in the movie.

[@sodajoke348]

Well I think we've made it obvious that the theme of this film isn't just going to let itself be known.

[@SingHouse]

VietnamD0820 I like your interpretation, it's interesting.

[@marcocovarrubias7405]

I thought she wanted him to stay, meaning the Jake she knew and married, not the other self she saw him splitting into.

[@Suhan0805]

But that Jake was a cheater

[@kipkay]

Thank you!!! Great review!

[@shadowkiller7893098]

KIPKAY

[@ttimetotroll]

Holy moly its Kipkay!!

[@joshuab7890]

fucking kipkay

[@kirbyc9042]

The ending caught me off guard. I wouldnt have searched for an explanation if it didnt end in such a way. Im definitely confused

[@gjh9299]

I was really confused why the wife doesn't notice that Adam wasn't wearing a wedding ring, but Adam's gf notices that the other guy had a ring mark

[@NormCantoral]

just remember that the events of the movie aren't necessarily in chronological order. the events with Adam's g/f happened in the past. the events with Adam's wife are happening in the present. Adam has cheated before, we know this when the wife accuses adam of doing it again. we can then presume that all the events with the g/f happened in the past including the car accident which gave him the scar on his chest. The escapade that Movie Adam has with his g/f could have happened months after his initial cheating episodes and if this is the case then he would have been wearing his ring more often and the tan line would have become more noticeable thus sparking the outrage by his g/f.

[@sagarsaxena6318]

To me it seemed the wife recognized that Adam is there and not Anthony. Notice the way she seems to be observing him from behind while he's taking his clothes off. She asks him about his "school" too but she likes this more caring and tender guy. Some minutes later she says "I want YOU to stay". I mean why would a wife tell her husband that? He is staying there anyway. So,it was quiet clear I felt that Helen has recognized Adam.

[@captainawesome830]

The scene where he walks into the room and there is a giant spider in the corner scared me.

[@TheZanzibarMan]

+Gefa Duro totally warranted comment, I'm sure.

[@gefaduro8038]

Haha there's so much shit to be said about this film, it's so crazy, there's so much symbolism and profound psychology...and this dude be like "dat spider sssscary!!!"

[@Parmetheus]

+Gefa Duro well, it was meant to be frightening, initially.

[@gefaduro8038]

Ser D. Hawke ok. i havent seen it so maaaaybe it was particularly frightening. Sorry Mike

[@captainawesome830]

Me saying that it scared me is a testament to how good the movie is because it has so many different genres in one.

[@freddyramos5557]

the f*** spider made me jump of my bed @ the end lmao

[@nissicopeland7677]

David Ramos, me too! 😂

[@cricketplays9694]

The spiders are what are holding me back from watching this movie I would probably fucking love

[@UdonNerdle]

This quickly became one of my favorite movies because what it’s saying is not inherently obvious from the first watch and it can mean something different to different people and it’s always interesting to see how Jake tackles a character

[@kuntekinte8227]

I was in a safe space when watching the movie and when the ending with the giant spider appeared i shat myself

[@andrewbarber4314]

i saw the ending before i watched it and it still scared the shit out of me

[@dshvd2410]

FUCK ME. I wanted to watch this movie without any spoilers, but something like this... i NEED to be aware of it. Thanks for the heads up

[@kuntekinte8227]

Alex Lol why tf you watching a explanation of the movie if you Haven't seen it?

[@dshvd2410]

+Dante Sparda i had this video on a watch later playlist, and i was halfway through the movie, and then i thought, what if i look at the comments real quick? and the first comment was about a huge fucking spider(the one at the end) i noped right tha fuck outta that movie.

[@kuntekinte8227]

Alex Oh haha k hope you enjoyed the movie.

[@xtrash1ove]

Chris, thanks for the review, but you've left one detail unexplained, which in fact goes into serious contraversion with what you've told. If the blonde girl is his real pregnant wife - why do we see ANOTHER woman on a photo? (the photo that was torn in the first half of the movie) This detail leads me to another version: the entire film is Jake's fantasy. The real story was like this: he was a teacher, trying to get a movie star carrier. He had a pregnant wife and fear of family (here is where I agree with your version). His real wife was that brunette woman seen in the torn photo at the end of the movie. He was cheating on her and they constantly were having argues. One of them, happened to start in a car, lead to a car accident, where Jake's wife died and he himself got this scar on his ribs. Depressed and lost, he quits trying to get a nice part in a movie and moves back to his teaching, where some of his collegues mock him ('Do you like movies?'). He moves to a new apartment after the car crash, which his mother doesn't like (rememer the 1st scene). He has his life for 6 months (as the guard in the movie studio says) - this is how he managed to life as a teacher Jake. All that follows is just an illusion, where his second identity appears, the one that managed to achieve what real Jake could not - he is a well-payed actor with a beautifull wife. The rest of the film is this illusion getting in a fight with the reality. To sum up - in your version Jake is still married, his wife is still alive and asks him to stay away from cheating and stay with her, but he can't handle his desires. My version differs in one detail - you version is correct but it's Jake's past. In the present, his wife is dead in a car accident, he returned back to school, but the desire to have this beautifull life is still teasing him, which combined with shock after the accident leads to his mental disorder and creates the alternate actor Jake. Would be nice if you comment this version. And thanks for the video, was enthrilling to watch :)

[@ShreddinP0wder]

Damn that's a good conception of the film as well.

[@xtrash1ove]

***** thanks, that's the thing I love about this movie - the more you think, read and watch things about it, the more different and creditable versions found. Same as in Lynch's Lost Highway - the most popular explanation is that Pete - imaginary person, thought out to escape the guilt for killing wife (Renee). But there's another one - Pete is the real past of Fred, who met Alice as a young man, committed a murder (killed Andy, her porn producer) and ran away with her. They settled down and changed their names (Fred -> Pete, Alice -> Renee) since Dick Laurent is still searching for them. And he did find them eventually. But what could a cruel crime boss could do with a beloved girl who cheated on him and the guy who took her away? He wants to play with them first, scary them. So he starts sending videotapes (which are real, two invited detectives have seen them - tapes are not imagination) to let them know that they are watched and not safe. And at the same time Fred (Pete), who risked everything to save Alice (Renee) from Laurent and secretly blames her for everything that happened starts noticing that instead of loving him she now plays around with other men. Both this and fear of Mr.Eddie's tapes finally breaks Fred apart and he kills his wife. Waiting for his death penalty, he remembers everything that happened to them, which takes the major part of the film. This is how these films work and I love it :) Even the most creditable version doesn't mean that after a certain amount of serious thinking, one cannot produce another version that is also very believable.

[@ShreddinP0wder]

Yes I would have to agree, I love a film that's open to interpretation

[@justinds9902]

tell me this, what is the meaning of the scene where teacher-jake see's his "Fantasy" wife (blond pregnant lady). I ask this because you say that actor-jakes life is a fantasy, and this illusion is concocted from jakes mind.

[@TheEpicStoryGamer]

One thing he also forgot, is that the weight of Anthony on google was 72. Just before that scene we saw the mircowave and it was showing us the number 73. Then when we saw the adress of anthony's street, it was number 74. After that, the parking spots showed us the numbers: 75 and 76 at the right corner. Idk if this means anything but I am curious! :) Lots of love

[@krishacz]

15:15 "some hotel somewhere" wasn't it the hotel in which the two Jakes met?

[@Amalekites]

Krisha Actually Yes, but it's not important where they meet. It's just that they do.

[@statsegr]

Lex I think it is. Maybe the "hotel" is his subconscious. That's where he met the other Jake and his girlfriend in his mind

[@ChrisLamia]

It's the same room too I think

[@OMGclueless]

Lex I think it *is* important where they meet. Actor Jake is clearly more comfortable than History Teacher Jake with the idea that they are in fact the same person. This is made abundantly clear by the way they react to the scar when it is revealed. In fact, I think Actor Jake is testing History Teacher for repressed memories, when Actor first suggests the motel he asks History Teacher whether he is familiar with it -- this is a place he's brought women to before and wants to know whether History Teacher is remembering that too.

[@maxkho00]

Lex It is. It is literally the allegory for his entire subconsciousness - or, actually, the place where his subconsciousness kinda gets to terms with consciousnessness. It's where he realises he has split personality and where he practically gets rid of his bad side.

[@Jajuu]

THE GIANT ENEMY SPIDER

[@alienistmd]

I think you're spot on with your analysis. There are so many details in this movie, none of which are simply coincidence. They each help decipher the meaning from the chaos. Here are a few additional things I've found on my own I thought I would share: Anthony Claire (Actor Jake), follows Mary (Melanie Laurent) to her work and watches her through the large windows. It seems to be a Travel Agency. If you look at the posters on all the walls, they appear to all be of women taller than buildings walking through various cities. This is just before Adam Bell (History Teacher Jake) has his dream about the giant spider walking through Toronto. I agree that this giant spider represents his mother, yet I believe this is when Anthony/Adam both may discover that, to them, ALL women are spiders. Or perhaps, since Anthony is the current embodiment, his attentions are on Mary, the object of his stalking - while Adam is suppressed to the subconscious and only he notices the giant women, and therefore only he develops the wisdom that all women are equally oppressive towards him. It may be here that Adam gains the advantage over Anthony. Adam Bell is the name of a relatively unknown, centuries-old Robin Hood-like story of three friends/outlaws, one of which is Adam Bell. The story focuses on two companions helping the other back to his wife and young children after a long absence. It features three women: the queen (helps the three), a crone (a woman who betrays the husband for a red dress), and his wife (mourns his loss and accepts his return). Anthony Claire and Daniel St. Claire - the Saint is no accident. Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint Daniel of Padua are both Patron Saints of finding lost things and lost people. Additionally, St. Daniel is invoked by many, including women whose husbands are at war, those suffering imprisonment or confinement. Confinement is often used to refer to the last term of pregnancy. Adam/Anthony both are at war, as well as suffer from an imprisonment of sorts. Adam and Helen are both searching for lost things/people. St. Clare is the patron saint of television of all things. Does this further allude to the actor(s) Jake? Mary is the only name we know of for the character played by Melanie Laurent. I believe that she both exists as an individual and as a representation of all women (without guile) that are potential objects of Adam/Anthony's desire. I would guess that Anthony actually did stalk her at some point in the past after imagining himself as a better version than the man she saw off to work one morning (represented by the Adam self). Adam may have purposely moved to that apartment complex because of this, or may have permitted Anthony to stalk her after moving there. Mary, with whom he slept, may represent herself or may represent any other number of non-committal relationships. Helen Claire (the wife) seems to be the only person to see things clearly. The name Claire comes from the words clear and clarity. Additionally, the original Helen (Helen of Troy) was fought over by at least two men, she was stolen from her original love by another. She was depicted by Homer as "a wistful, even a sorrowful, figure, coming to regret her choice and wishing to be reunited" with the man she first married, to whom she was eventually reunited. I think that Helen may have originally met Adam/Anthony during a time in his life when he was intending on leaving his work as a teacher to pursue acting. Perhaps he felt she only valued his Anthony (actor Jake) self and that she would view Adam (teacher Jake) self as weak and unloveable. After she visited Adam at his work, she told Anthony. The next day Anthony approaches Adam. Adam may have become aware of Helen the previous night in his dreams, as a result of which he could not deny that he had slept with Anthony's wife. Furthermore, he may have begun to realize that Helen could love him - the Adam version, (from her visit to his work, her look of concern, and through Anthony's manifest jealousy).

[@IMRSA16]

This extra information is amazing. Excellent additions! Thank you for sharing.

[@KrackerJacker]

Wow thank you for sharing this. This film is truly a work of art.

[@Ban_Usury_Worldwide]

Great stuff, I love this movie more as I read people's interpretations.

[@Mauzy0x00]

18:20 for the short answer Before that is recap

[@renelopez3561]

THANK YOU

[@krossyourpath]

Thank you so much

[@thyagtubes]

Watching this review is one of the best 25 minutes that I’ve spent. Brilliant explanation. Dennis Villenueve is seriously craving a spot next to Bergman, Kurosawa, Kubrick and Scorsese.

[@ErichBSmith]

I can’t believe I am responding to a KZbin post that is nearly 10 years old. Anyway, great explanation and insight into a movie that really never left me when I first rented it from a kiosk at Safeway. What I find truly weird and interesting is how Enemy visually tells the story like it’s a spy movie: intrigue, suspicion, evasion. But when all is said and done, this is just a movie about a sex addict who doesn’t want to settle down (although his wife is a total hottie so go figure on that.) He’s not trying to change the world, or sabotage something, or make any big, lofty statements about geopolitics. No, it just surrounds one guy who is resistant to change.

[@Shanoa]

Ok.. I thought there were 2 Jakes. Damnit I'm stupid..

[@sherif3880]

not alone !

[@sergejkeser7270]

Trust me, everybody with the right mind tought that there r 2 jakes,and of course tgat is the way to think about it. People who say that they immidiatly knew that it is actually his dual personality are simply full of ahit and just want to look smart on the web (you like what I did there :) )

[@TheKingDagon108]

Sergej Keser I had a suspicion that he had 2 personalities but after the car crash I was convinced they were different people XD

[@sergejkeser7270]

J Wallace first, I have never said that, so do not try to be edgy. Second, right way is to think that there are two diferent persons, not peraonalities, and than to question that after the big reveal in last 15 minutes of the movie.

[@taipaulo4146]

to actually be honest I kinds...KINDA knew when I saw the trailer I was thinking "What if it's himself?"

[@jaredkuntz183]

Okay, you have some absolutely fantastic points, but one thing doesn't fully add up, and it's actually the very fist thing you talked about: how the film is a subconscious battle of Jake's character. Sure, the director stated there is a subconscious battle, but if you have seen the original film this movie is based on, or have even read the story they're both based on, it's logical that he really does have an identical twin. That's one point in your "argument" that can be open to interpretation because in the original film and story, it turns out that there are more 'copies' of the character that he eventually becomes aware of. Plus, even one of the things you talked about in a different point also tie in; that mural in the tunnel he passes through. It shows 10 men, one of which is painted red. This actually ties into the original story both movies are based on, as the first character the audience was interested in wore red in an opening sequence in the book. But, later on, he wore black when he met his 'twin.' The 9 men in black and 1 man in red could represent that idea of there being copies of himself, as well as the point you made about it representing defiance against rule. That's just one look i had about this film, which i think is absolutely spectacular because it's easily one of the most thought-provoking films ever made. But, again, your analysis is very fantastic and well-detailed. So, i will neither disagree nor agree, but simply offer up another examination of certain points the film covers. Oh, and one more thing; the "Mother Spider." Now, this is more of an unknown if you ask me, because it doesn't necessarily 'fit' into what was talked about, even if it represents his mother because, why is it walking over the city? What is it doing? It's that unknown element that isn't just open to interpretation, but offers insight to the broadness of the film and its themes. And the best part about it, is that it's not a random scene. Again, just my thoughts.

[@ItsDesm]

I had wanted to watch this movie ever since you first posted this. I avoided watching your explanation until I got to see the movie. Just finished watching the movie and this video and I think you hit it on the head. Great video. Thanks

[@samueljohnson7991]

I agree, I just watched the movie and was happy to see this review. Definitely nailed it.

[@Thepolish_apple]

I've watched a lot of movie explanation videos, but I don't think one has ever made the movie clear like this one did. I loved the movie, even if I didn't fully understand it, and this made me love the movie even more than I already did. Thank you so much for such a concise and very clear explanation!

[@micahowenaby7252]

When Jake Gyllenhaal walks into the room calling for his wife Helen, and the giant spider was in the room instead that shit was kind of unnerving.

[@anuragagrawal7287]

1. in the beginning @2:06 scene we see same gallery which we see @1:09:41 later in the movie with same persons in same pattern the only difference is in first scene jake opens the door with the key and in second the other person. 2. While giving lecture @6:08 in the movie we see blackboard behind jake which again showing spider formation. In my opinion this movie is containing so many aspects like on larger note i think how dictators used to control people by bread and circuses in ancient rome the same way we are being controlled by woman, family, kids, technology in today's world . Though for some people this is not new to know but yes covering this aspect is a brilliant idea or it may be also my interpretation only. 3. @7:18 we see jake sitting on a chair thinking something and in @7:21 we listen "Hi" from both jake and his girlfriend. This scene is where jake memorizing his memory with his girlfriend. Jake was living alone for 6 months doing teaching job cause his mother wanted a respectable job, he also didn't able to be successful in acting and he was also trying to “Control” his cheating habits. He was living alone cause he fought with his wife cause she knew he is cheating to her and when he left he also didn't knew his wife was pregnant thats why later in the movie when he meet his wife again he says "you are 6 months pregnant so i didn't know". Just before this dialogue @1:15:08 he again memorize how he cheated his wife with his girlfriend, @1:19:19 he again memorized how he cheated his wife with his girlfriend and become regretted to know that his wife still cares for him. Actually the scenes where we see jake with his girlfriend were all his memories. Actor jake on bike was his past real self where we showed how he cheated his wife seeing a woman. He was so obsessed with women and sex. 4. ending scene where we see large spider is the scene which in the beginning we see his naked pregnant wife watching at him and in just next scene we see jake going to sex club and thus patters repeated, he didn’t able to survive the web which dictators created to controlled him (us) by extreme sex drives and woman.

[@AnasEtani]

You are a GENIUS!! Thank you so much!!I just finished watching the movie and went straight away to your explanation..really helpful and btw..you are my favorite movie reviewer/critic..keep up the great work (y)

[@midnightanimalism]

In the scene of actor Jake in his apartment, shown here at 11:01, History Teacher Jake’s sunglasses can be seen on the table.

[@jordesuvi]

Thank you, this analysis makes the most sense. Every other perspective I read only further confused me.

[@WeWatchedAMovie]

In all seriousness awesome job Chris. You can tell you put a shitload of time into these and it shows.

[@mitchellhodgemeyer1950]

Hey, anyone consider that the events of the movie are in the past, his marriage was destroyed by his actions, and he's replaying events in his mind in a symbolic, guilt-ridden way? I ask, because of the torn photograph.

[@Kevin_Reems]

Perhaps the entire movie takes place in his head as he dies in the car.

[@leekeishakeishaleesmith3801]

Good analysis!!! That could very well be too

[@housewares]

Your idea puts a different light on Anthony's demand/threat in the apartment. It's difficult to see why Adam went along (other than that he was well past ready to just throw away his old "pattern" & life for the unknown). But when Adam assumed Anthony's life the restored photo was proof of there being no such thing as Starting Over. Again, assuming the first torn photo was even torn by Adam himself -- even such a simple point in the movie is left maximally ambiguous

[@allier1867]

i think time in the movie is not linear. its a spiral or a web even.

[@Sandra-wj4on]

Yes, could be! And also remember, he has that 2nd apartment all through the movie. He never gave it up.

[@ROR5CH4CH]

I just realized that, since this was the first video by Chris I watched back then, soon I'll haver watched his reviews and other videos for a decade. Absolutely insane. Now I need to see Enemy again...

[@validatemyexistence4602]

After my journeys on many psychedelics, this movie felt like affirmation. Came to an explanation video to make sure im still sane with insanity.

[@forestonaz5373]

So true, I literally screamed the three words ''What tha fuck!'' at the end of the movie and I think that this was the first and only time I had such a reaction to a movie ending!

[@mitbomb]

Forest Onaz watch David lynch

[@carlomontes4128]

Lmao watch interstellar

[@NoBreakInTime]

Sammeeeee

[@kminnix2978]

Yeah, I said "What the fuck did I just watch?"

[@nothajzl]

what i did: 1. Watched the movie. 2.Said WTF! at the end. 3. Went to youtube in search of an answer.. saw ur comment wrote this reply XDDD

[@lensalexis7695]

This movie gave me nightmares and made me question my whole reality.

[@awakefortwoweeks4770]

illuminati and zihonist film. They are fucking our subconscious. Stay With God

[@slickrick7065]

@@awakefortwoweeks4770 GOD.. isn't real...

[@awakefortwoweeks4770]

@@slickrick7065 How do you know that?

[@HoratioVelveteen-nl5kw]

@@awakefortwoweeks4770 he doesn't

[@wptny3339]

@@awakefortwoweeks4770 i know it’s been two years but people like you are the most fucking dumb people in the world lol

[@tonyojeda8354]

i just wanted to say thank you. i had seen so many videos of people trying to explain it without me being able to get what they were saying, but yours made a lot of sense. to be honest ive never seen the movie but i keep seeing the ending in a lot of videos like watchmojo and stuff. i honestly thought it was about spiders taking over the world and jake being one of the last humans on earth or something.