Doppelgang (Short)

[Not to be confused with the full length feature. That page is titled Doppelgang.]

Doppelgang is the ninth episode of Chapters.' second season, subtitled Atrocity Exhibitions. Written and directed by Mike Barkhoff, as all the other episodes of the season are. Doppelgang features a fictional version of Mike Barkhoff encountering various 'doppelgangers' of himself from different age ranges. Initially, this was planned to be a full length film, but was discarded and trimmed due to Barkhoff's disappointment with the turnout. He would later decide to try and form the full length version again and release it as his third feature film.

It also acted as a continuation of the web series "114".

Opening Poetry
",an artist's masterpiece leads to their addiction,"

Plot
Mike Barkhoff is writing when he hears a voice (unheard by the audience). He goes to investigate and turns on a light, asking for the person to show themselves. He gets ready for work and abuses energy drinks, before going home and abusing alcohol and nicotine. His friends try to get ahold of him, but he brushes them all off, including Conner. He continues seeing variations of himself and becomes irritated to the point he removes a knife from his kitchen and tries to kill the variations of himself. In reality, he has cut his own wrist and bleeds out. The film ends with a slow pan of all of his addictions before ending with an "entry" in his "journal", dated October 2nd, 2013.

Production
Barkhoff wrote the film in 2019 after seeing the trailer for Joker. Heavily depressed and drinking excessively, Barkhoff's intent with the script was to finish it and, when successful, stop both of those things. Barkhoff found himself distracted before he could write the conclusion, feeling as if the script was somewhat muddled.

Barkhoff began filming in 2020 when COVID-19 restrictions prevented him from making I Give It A Year as his next feature film instead.

Ahead of release, Barkhoff realized he wasn't happy with the film and discarded much of it in favor of a short film, which he was only slightly more happy with.

Meaning
Barkhoff remained ambiguous about any of the film's meaning, regardless of the questions asked. You can read more about this on the full length Doppelgang.

Themes
The episode features an addiction of perfection. The themes that go by it's side are those such as hope, trying to make change, and complacency.

Marketing
A poster was released for the film a day prior to it's airing. On Amazon, it supports two posters.

Continuity
- Barkhoff is working on a script for the sequel to Windfall.

The Definitive Cut
Barkhoff decided to attempt the full length film again and scheduled it for release May 27th, 2021.

Reception
The short was met with positive reviews, but was considered to be a follow-up dipping point for the season following "Invasion".

Barkhoff himself has admitted he doesn't really like this short film - or the full length - but stated that the short film was essential in fulfilling his plans for the season.