Robert Downey Jr.’s 7-Part HBO Historical Thriller Was Inspired By Stanley Kubrick

by

If you enjoy darkly funny and satirical movies like Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove, you’ll likely see similarities in HBO’s thriller The Sympathizer. The TV series was actually inspired by Kubrick’s film, especially in how Robert Downey Jr. brilliantly plays several different characters.

As a film buff, I was absolutely blown away by Robert Downey Jr.’s performance in The Sympathizer. He plays five different characters, and it’s not just a cameo here and there – he completely transforms with each one, nailing the accent, the physicality, everything. Honestly, it reminded me so much of Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove – that incredible feat of playing multiple roles and dominating every single scene. It’s just brilliant work.

Park Chan-wook, co-creator of The Sympathizer, intentionally drew inspiration from Dr. Strangelove from the start. He sees Kubrick’s film as one of the greatest comedies ever made and a perfect example of the Cold War satire he wanted to achieve with the miniseries.

The Sympathizer Was Inspired By Stanley Kubrick‘s Movie Dr. Strangelove

HBO’s The Sympathizer feels like a modern homage to Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove. Like the film, it offers a darkly comedic and often shocking look at the politics of the Cold War. This influence is clear throughout the series, especially in its creative and unconventional casting choices.

Park Chan-wook, the director, was inspired by Peter Sellers’ performance in Dr. Strangelove – specifically, how Sellers played multiple characters – to cast one actor in at least three roles in his film The Sympathizer. He came up with this idea before Robert Downey Jr. was even chosen for the part (according to the Los Angeles Times). However, the connection between these two satirical films goes beyond just this casting choice.

Both Dr. Strangelove and The Sympathizer are remarkably realistic in their portrayals of the Cold War, so much so that Dr. Strangelove initially worried people at the Pentagon. Both stories clearly prioritized accuracy, which strengthens their sharp and humorous critiques of the era.

The novel The Sympathizer uses a detail like a tiny spy camera – a clear nod to the film Dr. Strangelove. This realistic element stands out against the often absurd situations the characters face in both stories, emphasizing the pointlessness of the Cold War and the indifference of those in power.

Robert Downey Jr. Plays 5 Different Roles In The Sympathizer

Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Sympathizer offers a satirical look at the Vietnam War and its consequences. The story is told through the eyes of a Vietnamese communist who works as a spy within the American forces. Throughout his dangerous mission, the unnamed main character meets a cast of unlikeable and morally questionable individuals.

Robert Downey Jr. brilliantly portrays four distinct characters with playful energy. Similar to Peter Sellers’ work in Dr. Strangelove, each of Downey Jr.’s roles in The Sympathizer is unique and darkly funny.

The cast includes a range of colorful characters: Claude, a CIA agent with sociopathic tendencies; Ned Godwin, a cynical congressman; Niko Damianos, an eccentric filmmaker; and Robert Hammer, a university professor completely out of touch with reality. Robert Downey Jr. also plays a mysterious Priest who becomes surprisingly important to the main character’s journey.

This actor’s ability to play such a diverse range of characters truly showcases his exceptional talent. However, he’s also benefiting from building on the legacy of a truly great comedic performer to deliver this impressive and flexible performance.

Peter Sellers Portrays 3 Different Characters In Dr. Strangelove

Watching Robert Downey Jr. in The Sympathizer really blew me away, and it made me think about Peter Sellers’ work in Dr. Strangelove. It’s clear to me that Sellers playing those three distinct characters paved the way for Downey Jr.’s incredible performance. Honestly, I don’t think we’d have such amazing characters like Claude, Godwin, Niko Damianos, or Robert Hammer without Dr. Strangelove setting the stage.

Peter Sellers delivers one of the greatest presidential performances ever filmed, and is also incredibly funny as the main character and Group Captain Lionel Mandrake. The difference between these two roles is remarkable and hasn’t been matched on screen since.

Robert Downey Jr. deserves a lot of praise for capturing a similar comedic brilliance to Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove. His performance not only does that, but also makes The Sympathizer a truly exceptional and often overlooked comedy series.

Read More

2026-02-21 22:19