Three Identical Strangers
What is three identical strangers?
Key facts
| title | Three Identical Strangers[1] |
|---|---|
| type | documentary film[1] |
| year | 2018[1] |
| director | Tim Wardle[1] |
| subjects | Edward Galland, David Kellman, Robert Shafran[1] |
| relationship | identical triplet brothers[1] |
| event | chance discovery in New York in 1980[1] |
| theme | undisclosed scientific study of nature versus nurture[1] |
Three Identical Strangers is a 2018 documentary about identical triplet brothers Edward Galland, David Kellman, and Robert Shafran, who were adopted separately and discovered each other by chance in New York in 1980.
Context
The documentary explores the brothers' chance discovery and the later revelation that their adoption was part of an undisclosed scientific study about nature versus nurture. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018 and uses archival footage, re-enacted scenes, and present-day interviews to tell the story [1].
Documented claims
- The brothers were adopted as infants by separate families. [1]
- The film uses archival footage, re-enacted scenes, and present-day interviews. [1]
- The brothers were 19 when they discovered one another by chance. [1]
- The later discovery is described as part of a clandestine research initiative directed by psychologist Peter B. Neubauer. [2]
Questions and answers
What is the true story behind Three Identical Strangers?
The true story involves identical triplet brothers who were adopted separately and discovered each other by chance in New York in 1980. Their adoption was part of an undisclosed scientific study about nature versus nurture [1].
What is the twist in Three Identical Strangers?
The twist is the revelation that the brothers' adoption was part of a clandestine research initiative directed by psychologist Peter B. Neubauer [2].
What happened to the twin study?
The twin study was part of an undisclosed scientific study about nature versus nurture, later revealed to be a clandestine research initiative [2].
Sources
- Three Identical Strangers - Apple TV — tv.apple.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- The surreal, sad story behind the acclaimed new doc ' ... — latimes.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)