In the psychological thriller Subtraction, Farzaneh (Taraneh Alidoosti) and Jalal (Navid Mohammadzadeh) are living a painfully ordinary life when they encounter the extraordinary—their doppelgängers.
Subtraction
Mani Haghighi (director and writer), Amir Reza Koohestani (writer), Morteza Najafi (cinematography), Meysam Molaei (editor)
Taraneh Alidoosti, Navid Mohammadzadeh, Esmail PoorReza, Farham Azizi (cast)
September 12, 2022 (TIFF)
I must admit that doppelgängers aren’t my favourite science-fiction trope, even though I love quite a few films about them (Us, Annihilation, Another Earth, and Solaris come to mind). I’m always concerned that the doppelgänger storyline will be cringey, ala Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors.
But the plot of Subtraction was just too scintillating for me to miss out. Plus it’s set in Tehran, Iran, which I don’t get to see much of on the big screen. Honestly, that’s the appeal of film festivals like TIFF. I wouldn’t be able to see an Iranian production otherwise.
I’m delighted I watched Subtraction. This film had me guessing at every turn! I couldn’t predict what the characters would do and what the consequences of those actions would be. It was a bonkers — and sometimes horrifying — ride and I was entranced. From the moment Farzaneh first sees her husband’s doppelgänger to the denouement, which was definitely not where I was expecting the story to go, I was at the edge of my seat.
Subtraction’s plot is chillingly effective because of the strength of the acting by Taraneh Alidoosti and Navid Mohammadzadeh. With subtle changes in expression and a bit of makeup, both actors transform into two very different couples. With doppelgängers, it can be hard to tell which character is which, but that’s definitely not a problem Subtraction has (until it wants to, of course).
I particularly loved the physicality that Alidoosti brings to her characters. Farzaneh is so downtrodden and slouchy, whereas Bita is bright and straight-backed. And I don’t know what magic the makeup team conjured, but I swear Farzaneh’s face was just a tiny bit more puffy than Bita’s, which made her look even more tired and disenchanted with life.
In the same vein, Mohammadzadeh portrays Jalal as bright-eyed and clear-faced. Jalal is a trustworthy and hopeful man and he’s instantly likeable. As opposed to his doppelgänger Mohsen, who wears a constant frown and sneer, his behaviour as unappealing as his expression.
I doubt people will talk about the special effects in Subtraction but it has some of the subtlest I’ve ever seen. I don’t know what technique director Mani Haghighi used because the scenes with the doppelgängers together are seamless. The eyelines are perfect and natural, and even when there is physical contact between the characters, it looks like two separate people. I actually had to double check that I wasn’t watching twins!
I enjoyed how Subtraction uses space to progress the plot. Tight mid-shots in cars to show characters getting closer, wider angles in a hospital to show the distance, physical and metaphorical, between others. It’s simple and smart filmmaking that made my heart race and made me desperate for more.
I loved some of the visual themes Haghighi uses to add tension, particularly the constant rain and thunderstorms that plague the city during the events of the film. The rain adds to the mystery, while also acting as an additional obstacle for the characters to overcome. A little rain is fine. A lot and all the time? That’s enough to drive anyone up the wall.
The tension in Subtraction is additionally ratcheted up by the score. Composer Ramin Kousha keeps the percussion simmering in the background and ramps it up to match your heartbeat. Sound designer Amir Hossein Ghasemi uses the ambient sounds of rain, car engines, and football matches to centre the audience and make the story that much more believable.
With powerful yet subtle performances, excellent use of natural sound design, and a series of twists that will catch you by surprise, Subtraction is a great entry in the sci-fi genre. If you’re looking for a mystery that doesn’t give you all the answers but keeps you hooked from beginning to end, Subtraction is an absolute must-watch.
