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Double Jeopardy (1999) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Double Jeopardy (1999) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1999 · 105 min · English
JustWatch #933 49
Directed by
Bruce Beresford
Starring
Tommy Lee Jones, Bruce Greenwood, Ashley Judd
Budget
$70M

Libby Parsons is wrongly convicted of murdering her husband and desperately seeks to find her son while uncovering a dangerous conspiracy that has destroyed her life. While on parole, she relentlessly pursues the truth, pushing her parole officer, Travis Lehman, to question his own judgments and confront a system that may be failing her. Their complex relationship intensifies as Travis is forced to challenge authority and reassess his perspective, leading to a tense and dangerous confrontation.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Double Jeopardy
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Double Jeopardy (1999)

Where can you watch Double Jeopardy? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on fuboTV, MGM Plus and Paramount Plus Essential: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Double Jeopardy Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Double Jeopardy (1999), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Libby Parsons (Ashley Judd)

    Libby is portrayed as a devoted mother and a wronged woman who transforms her despair into fierce determination. Throughout her journey, she showcases resilience and strength, evolving from a victim of circumstance to a proactive seeker of justice. Her character embodies the unwavering love of a mother and the fight for her child.

    • 👩‍👦 Motherhood
    • 🔥 Determination
    • 🎭 Survivor
  • Nick (Bruce Greenwood)

    Nick is the seemingly devoted husband who betrays Libby, orchestrating a complex deception that leads to her wrongful imprisonment. His character serves as the catalyst for the film's conflict, demonstrating how selfish actions can have devastating consequences for those we love. Nick's manipulation and betrayal set the stage for Libby's quest for vengeance.

    • 💔 Deception
    • 🚨 Betrayer
  • Travis (Tommy Lee Jones)

    Travis is Libby's parole officer who initially represents an obstacle but eventually becomes an ally in her quest for truth. His character provides a moral dimension to the story, showing that redemption can come from unexpected places. He grapples with his responsibility while recognizing Libby's plight.

    • 🔍 Ally
    • ⚖️ Morality

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:32

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Setting

Where and When Does Double Jeopardy Take Place?

The setting of Double Jeopardy (1999): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Modern Day

The events of the movie unfold in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern societal issues, such as wrongful accusations and the legal system's complexities. This time period highlights the emotional and psychological turmoil faced by Libby as she navigates through personal and legal battles.

Location

Pacific Northwest, New Orleans

The Pacific Northwest is known for its stunning coastal landscapes and lush forests, providing a serene yet deceptive setting for Libby's life before tragedy strikes. In contrast, New Orleans is a vibrant city famous for its rich history and culture, serving as the pivotal location for Libby's pursuit of truth and justice.

  • 🌊 Pacific
  • 🎷 New Orleans

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:32

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3 major themes

Double Jeopardy Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Double Jeopardy (1999) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Justice

    The theme of justice pervades the narrative as Libby fights against a miscarriage of justice. Her journey embodies the struggle to reclaim one's life and seek retribution against those who wronged her. It raises questions about the legal system and the price of true justice.

  • Betrayal

    Betrayal becomes a central theme through Nick's deception, which dismantles Libby's perfect life. This theme explores the profound emotional impact of betrayal and the lengths a mother will go to uncover the truth and protect her child.

  • Resilience

    Libby's transformation from a victim to a warrior captures the theme of resilience. Despite overwhelming despair and challenges, her determination to fight back for her sanity and family underscores the powerful spirit of a mother in distress.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:32

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Character & theme questions

Double Jeopardy Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Double Jeopardy (1999): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Double Jeopardy set?

The movie takes place primarily in two key locations: the Pacific Northwest, where Libby's seemingly perfect life unfolds before her tragedy, and New Orleans, where she pursues truth and justice after her release. The Pacific Northwest provides a serene, deceptive backdrop for the initial betrayal, while New Orleans serves as the gritty, vibrant setting for her dangerous quest.

Foreshadowing: The contrast between the tranquil Pacific Northwest and chaotic New Orleans mirrors Libby's journey from innocence to vengeful determination.

  • pacific northwest
  • new orleans
  • setting
  • locations
  • libby parsons
Q2

Why is New Orleans important to the story?

New Orleans becomes the pivotal location where Libby relentlessly pursues the truth about her husband's betrayal. Its rich history and culture provide a stark contrast to the Pacific Northwest, symbolizing Libby's transition from a sheltered life to a dangerous world where she must fight for justice.

  • new orleans
  • location
  • truth
  • justice
  • pursuit
Q3

When does Double Jeopardy take place?

The film is set in modern day, reflecting contemporary societal issues such as wrongful accusations and the complexities of the legal system. This contemporary setting emphasizes the emotional and psychological turmoil Libby faces as she navigates personal and legal battles.

  • modern day
  • contemporary
  • time period
  • legal system
Q4

What is the main theme of Double Jeopardy?

Justice serves as the central theme, with Libby fighting against a miscarriage of justice after being wrongfully imprisoned for her husband's murder. Her journey explores the flaws in the legal system and the high price of seeking true justice.

  • justice
  • legal system
  • wrongful imprisonment
  • theme
Q5

How does betrayal drive the story?

Betrayal is a core theme embodied by Nick's deception, which completely dismantles Libby's life. His orchestrating of a complex scheme leads to her wrongful imprisonment, exploring the profound emotional impact of betrayal and a mother's determination to uncover the truth and protect her child.

  • betrayal
  • nick
  • deception
  • trust
  • theme
Q6

How does Libby's resilience show in the film?

Libby's transformation from victim to warrior captures the theme of resilience. Despite overwhelming despair and challenges, she channels her determination into fighting back for her sanity and family, embodying the powerful spirit of a mother in distress.

  • resilience
  • libby
  • transformation
  • mother
  • strength
Q7

Who is Libby Parsons?

Libby Parsons is the film's protagonist, portrayed as a devoted mother and wronged woman who transforms her despair into fierce determination. Her character evolves from a victim of circumstance to a proactive seeker of justice, embodying unwavering maternal love and the fight for her child.

  • libby parsons
  • protagonist
  • mother
  • main character
  • ashley judd
Q8

Who is Nick and what role does he play?

Nick is Libby's seemingly devoted husband who secretly orchestrates a complex deception that leads to her wrongful imprisonment. As the catalyst for the film's conflict, his selfish actions have devastating consequences, setting the stage for Libby's quest for vengeance and truth.

  • nick
  • husband
  • villain
  • betrayal
  • bruce greenwood
Q9

Who is Travis and what is his role?

Travis is Libby's parole officer who initially represents an obstacle but eventually becomes her ally in the quest for truth. His character provides moral depth, showing that redemption can come from unexpected places as he grapples with his responsibilities and recognizes Libby's plight.

  • travis
  • parole officer
  • ally
  • tommy lee jones
  • support
Q10

What drives Libby throughout Double Jeopardy?

Libby's primary motivation is her love for her son and her need to clear her name after being wrongfully convicted. This maternal drive transforms into a relentless pursuit of justice against Nick, pushing her to confront a dangerous conspiracy that destroyed her life.

  • motivation
  • son
  • justice
  • mother
  • pursuit

Movie threads

More Movies Like Double Jeopardy, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Double Jeopardy tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about being framed and seeking revenge like Double Jeopardy

Ordinary protagonists pushed to extremes to clear their name and seek justice. If you enjoyed the high-stakes pursuit of justice in Double Jeopardy, this thread features similar movies about wrongful accusations and thrilling revenge. Discover other tense dramas and crime thrillers where protagonists are pushed to their limits to clear their name and confront those who betrayed them.

  • betrayed
  • determined
  • tense
  • suspenseful
  • vengeful
  • desperate
  • Tone: tense, desperate, vengeful
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with a devastating betrayal that frames the protagonist for a crime they didn't commit. This inciting event propels them on a dangerous path of discovery, often involving a race against time, gathering evidence, and outsmarting a powerful antagonist. The journey is one of transformation, from a victim of the system to a proactive force challenging it.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core premise of a shattered life due to a false accusation, creating immediate empathy and high stakes. They are united by a tense, fast-paced tone, a heavy emotional weight stemming from betrayal, and a central character arc defined by determination and a relentless pursuit of truth and retribution.

Thrillers with fugitives on parole like Double Jeopardy

Thrillers where a parolee's quest for truth turns into a dangerous cat-and-mouse game. Fans of the cat-and-mouse tension in Double Jeopardy will enjoy this collection of thrillers featuring protagonists on parole or probation. These movies focus on characters operating under the watchful eye of the law while secretly conducting a high-stakes investigation, leading to tense confrontations and risky gambles.

  • tense
  • suspenseful
  • desperate
  • risky
  • claustrophobic
  • determined
  • Tone: tense, suspenseful, desperate
  • Pacing: fast, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The pattern involves a protagonist recently released from incarceration, navigating the strict rules of parole while secretly pursuing a personal agenda, often with a parole officer as a key antagonist or reluctant ally. The story is built on dual threats: the danger of the central conspiracy and the imminent risk of being sent back to prison, forcing the character to be clever and resourceful.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their unique setting and source of tension: the precarious freedom of a parolee. They share a fast pace driven by the urgency of the investigation and the constant threat of recapture. The tone is consistently tense and suspenseful, with a high-intensity feel stemming from the protagonist's vulnerable position and high-stakes goals.

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Every angle

Double Jeopardy (1999) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Double Jeopardy in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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