Common Sense Media Review
By Tracey Petherick
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Disney cloning comedy teaches the importance of integrity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Other Me
What's the Story?
In THE OTHER ME, arrogant teenager Will Browning (Andrew Lawrence) is facing a summer of boot camp unless he can improve his grades at school. In an effort to dupe his parents into thinking he's working hard, he chooses what he thinks will be an easy science project but instead accidentally makes a clone of himself. When "Will 2," or "Twoie," turns out to be sweet, chirpy, and a super-fast learner, Will sends him to school in his place, unaware that the scientists who invented the cloning formula are plotting to kidnap Twoie for experimentation.
Is It Any Good?
Keep your expectations in check and you will probably be pleasantly surprised by this family-friendly Disney Channel comedy from the year 2000. Despite a few labored scenarios, several plot flaws, and some high-level cringe moments dotted throughout, The Other Me is fun, warm, and relatable. The concept is pretty silly and the comedy is corny with a heavy reliance on slapstick. But kids will still be giggling throughout.
Special effects are limited, but the scenes featuring Will and Twoie together are seamless, and Lawrence does a pretty good job of playing two characters at once. Although neither are especially nuanced, there is at least enough distinction between them that you fully believe in both. Overall the tone is undeniably positive and there is a certain tenderness to the coming-of-age theme as Will sees the better person he could become. Indeed, we could all benefit from a dose of Twoie's charming, wide-eyed innocence, and his belief in being open, honest, and genuine -- and dancing like no one's watching.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what kind of role models Will and Twoie make in The Other One. What are each of their character strengths, and what are their flaws? Who do you like better and why?
Talk about the key theme of being open and honest and not pretending you're something you're not. Do you agree with Twoie that if you just be yourself then people will like you for who you are?
Talk about the ethics of cloning in the context of this movie. Is it wrong for Will to allow people to believe that he is Twoie? When might this situation become problematic?
Both Will and Twoie are played by the same actor. Can you think of any other movies where one actor has played multiple roles? What challenges do you think they face when taking on such roles?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 8, 2000
- Cast : Andrew Lawrence , Mark L. Taylor , Lori Hallier
- Director : Manny Coto
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Director(s)
- Studios : Disney Channel Original Movies , Disney+
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Book Characters , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 87 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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