Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Documentary

Three Identical Strangers (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Three Identical Strangers (2018) movie poster

Three Identical Strangers is a 2018 documentary directed by Tim Wardle, starring Robert Shafran, Eddy Galland and David Kellman. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $13.4 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Documentaries at the DGA Awards 2019. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
96%
worldwide gross
$13.4M
award won
1
Loading streaming availability…
Three Identical Strangers (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
Tim Wardle
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Three Identical Strangers About?

The premise of Three Identical Strangers without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This incredible true story follows three brothers separated at birth and raised by different families. Their reunion is a shocking coincidence that quickly gains worldwide attention. As the trio navigates their newfound fame and connection, a surprising secret emerges, impacting their families and revealing a deeper, more complex history than anyone could have imagined.

Three Identical Strangers Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • adoption
  • triplets
  • separated at birth
  • suicide
  • depression
  • restaurant
  • ethics
  • regret
  • 1980s
  • multiple birth
  • long lost siblings
  • parenting
+38 more
  • mental illness
  • stranger than fiction
  • human guinea pig
  • unethical experiment
  • geneticist
  • bipolar depression
  • restaurant owner
  • statute of limitations
  • unsolved mystery
  • year 2066
  • investigation
  • medical mystery
  • medical assistant
  • female medical assistant
  • secret experiment
  • medical experiment
  • jewish
  • family feud
  • the new yorker the magazine
  • research
  • psychological study
  • scientific experiment
  • repeated scene
  • montage
  • black and white scene
  • flashback
  • flash forward
  • black and white flashback
  • videotaping
  • child development
  • psychological testing
  • psychiatrist
  • psychiatry
  • scientist
  • scientific research
  • attorney
  • la jolla california
  • research assistant
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Three Identical Strangers Cast

Robert Shafran leads the cast, with Eddy Galland and David Kellman. Directed by Tim Wardle; 12 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Tim Wardle

More films directed by Tim Wardle: Two Identical Strangers and One Killer Punch.

Full filmography
Ratings

Three Identical Strangers Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Three Identical Strangers 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 88/100, strongest in story & flow (92) and weakest in sensory experience (80).

88 /100

Three Identical Strangers Echo Score Breakdown

Three Identical Strangers excels in crafting a compelling and emotionally resonant narrative with only a few stylistic missteps. It combines engaging direction and measured pacing to reveal startling developments about the separated triplets with careful build-up. While certain reenactment sequences lack visual polish and occasional dramaturgical shifts veer toward sensationalism, the film’s rigorous investigative approach and sustained intrigue leave a strong, thought-provoking impression. Ultimately, it stands as a layered documentary that maintains viewer engagement throughout.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates assured direction and dynamic editing that propel the story forward. Zippy transitions and well-staged nostalgic scenes enhance the visual cohesion, while some reenactment sequences feel muted and occasionally blurred. The cinematography balances archival imagery with present-day interviews effectively. Overall, the artful execution supports the narrative’s momentum despite periodic lapses in visual polish.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, Three Identical Strangers elicits deep empathy through intimate interviews and expressive archival footage. Emotional beats are underscored by compassionate framing and nuanced presentation of the brothers’ evolving feelings. While the film occasionally leans into melodramatic emphasis, the personal depth and relational chemistry remain compelling. In sum, the documentary offers strong emotional resonance throughout.

  • Story & Flow 92

    When it comes to story and flow, the documentary unfolds with precise pacing that balances uplifting moments with darker revelations. The narrative structure gradually builds tension through strategic placement of archival materials and interviews, maintaining engagement with unexpected twists. A few shifts toward sensational storytelling introduce minor complexity, but the overall coherence and originality of the central premise deliver a highly compelling journey.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the film’s sound design and musical choices contribute to its immersive quality. A lively soundtrack underscores emotional highs, and clear audio mixing enhances interview clarity. Visual cohesion is supported by coherent archival-to-modern transitions, though some reenactment segments appear overly muted. Overall, the sensory components effectively support the documentary’s tonal shifts.

  • Rewatch Factor 82

    When it comes to rewatch factor, the layered revelations and shifting tone encourage multiple viewings to catch subtle details. The film’s investigative structure rewards repeat exploration of archival clues and interview nuances. A few predictable transitions slightly diminish the novelty on subsequent viewings, but the documentary’s emotional depth and moral complexity sustain its lasting appeal.

Plot

Three Identical Strangers Plot Summary

What happens in Three Identical Strangers from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story begins in 1980, when Robert Shafran arrived at the campus of Sullivan County Community College in upstate New York. Upon his arrival, he experienced a series of bizarre encounters where students and staff members constantly greeted him with familiarity, though he did not know them. It became clear that people were incorrectly recognizing him as another student named Eddy Galland. The two young men eventually met that very evening, and through their conversation, they discovered a shocking commonality: both had been adopted. They quickly reached the conclusion that they were long-lost twins.

Full summary

The whole story of Three Identical Strangers, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Three Identical Strangers Box Office

Three Identical Strangers grossed $13.4 million worldwide. $12.3 million came from the US and Canada and $1.1 million (8%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$13.4M

US & Canada
$12.3M
International
$1.1M
US & Canada 92% Rest of the world 8%
Awards

Three Identical Strangers Awards & Nominations

Three Identical Strangers won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Documentaries at the DGA Awards 2019. Its biggest night was the DGA Awards 2019, with 1 win from 1 nomination.

1 win2 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Three Identical Strangers Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Three Identical Strangers.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Three Identical Strangers?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In what year did Robert Shafran first arrive at the campus of Sullivan County Community College, setting the story in motion?

Cars

Cars in Three Identical Strangers

25 cars on screen, including the Ford Focus and the Chevrolet Express.

All 25 cars
  • Ford Focus in Three Identical Strangers Ford Focus Important role
  • Chevrolet Express in Three Identical Strangers Chevrolet Express Minor role
  • Ford Crown Victoria in Three Identical Strangers Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
  • 2005 Ford Crown Victoria in Three Identical Strangers 2005 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
Details

Three Identical Strangers Also Known As

24 alternative titles, including “Shlosha Za'rim Zehim” and “Trys nepazistami broliai”.

Also known as
  • Shlosha Za'rim Zehim
  • Trys nepazistami broliai
  • 三个一样的陌生人
  • Три одинаковых незнакомца
  • Üç Tanıdık Yabancı
  • Bliscy nieznajomi
  • 三個一樣的陌生人
  • Trei străini identici
  • Трима еднакви непознати
  • 孪生陌生人
  • Três Estranhos Idênticos
  • Három egyforma idegen
+12 more
  • Tres idénticos desconocidos
  • שלושה זרים זהים
  • Tři blízcí neznámí
  • 어느 일란성 세 쌍둥이의 재회
  • Trois étrangers identiques
  • Tre identici sconosciuti
  • Drei Gleiche Fremde
  • Tre identiska främlingar
  • 同じ遺伝子の3人の他人
  • 陌路三胞胎
  • แฝดสามแปลกหน้า
  • Tri identična stranca

Seen Three Identical Strangers?

FAQ

Three Identical Strangers FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Three Identical Strangers, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Three Identical Strangers?

Three Identical Strangers runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was Three Identical Strangers released?

Three Identical Strangers was released on June 29, 2018.

Who directed Three Identical Strangers?

Three Identical Strangers was directed by Tim Wardle.

More films by Tim Wardle

Who is in the cast of Three Identical Strangers?

Three Identical Strangers stars Robert Shafran, Eddy Galland and David Kellman, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Three Identical Strangers make at the box office?

Three Identical Strangers grossed $13.4 million worldwide ($12.3 million domestic, $1.1 million international).

How is Three Identical Strangers rated?

Three Identical Strangers has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

What awards did Three Identical Strangers win?

Three Identical Strangers won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Documentaries at the DGA Awards 2019.

Does Three Identical Strangers have a post-credit scene?

No. Three Identical Strangers has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app