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Dual Review | Sundance Film Festival 2022

Dual is a dark comedy that is predictable but a ton of fun. Karen Gillan’s emotionless delivery is jarring at first, but you get used to it.

dual movie review sundance

Aaron Paul and Karen Gillan appear in DUAL by Riley Stearns, an official selection of the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Dual is one of those movies that is not for everybody. It is a very dark comedy with a premise that intrigues but a story that will shock many. Karen Gillan takes on two roles in this film, who are very similar and yet different. She doesn’t often play opposite herself, but when she does it is often with chilling demeanor and fantastic delivery. 

When Sarah (Karen Gillan) learns that she is dying from a rare disease she decides to order a clone of herself. The plan is that this double will take over her life when she passes away. However, things really take a very dark turn when she learns she is in remission, but the clone has already formed a bond with her boyfriend and her mother. When her clone files a dispute to stay, instead of being decommissioned, the two are told they will have to fight to the death to determine who will stay Sarah.

Sarah is certainly not easy to connect to as a viewer, largely in part due to her cold delivery and uncaring nature. She is very flat as a character and rarely gives any facial expressions, making her feel emotionless at times. However, as the movie goes on the audience will get used to it and might even start to root for her after seeing how her double completely stole her life from her. Moments of anger and emotion bleed through in certain scenes, but not many.

dual movie review sundance

Karen Gillan appears in DUAL by Riley Stearns, an official selection of the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

In order to prepare for the duel, knowing it is going to be her or her double, she finds a trainer who is played by Aaron Paul. He is a weird character, but also a whole lot of fun. He is the perfect counterpart to Gillan’s role, and the two have a lot of subtly hilarious scenes together. The majority of the humor in Dual is dark humor, so Paul’s bizarre actions and the way he carries himself offer a fun change of pace sporadically. 

The movie moves along well with decent pacing, and tells and interesting story, however the ending is a bit of a disappointment — and those who have seen Dual already will know exactly what I mean. It is hard to dive into without giving spoilers but let’s just say as a viewer I felt duped. I was really looking forward to something that was never given to me, and yes, I will hold a grudge.

Dual didn’t meet my way too high expectations for it, but I did end up having a blast watching it. It certainly has its flaws, but I laughed out loud several times and genuinely became invested in Sarah’s life. There are surprises I didn’t see coming, which is always welcome in a film.

I am a big fan of Science Fiction so the concept hooked me from the start. Throw in the jabs at the unfair way the system works and survivor guilt moments, top it with some truly hilarious dark comedy, and I am sold.

Dual is a dark sci-fi comedy that is not going to be for everyone, but those who enjoy this kind of humor will have a blast. Lots of surprises, twists, and turns — although the ending left me feeling duped.

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Rating: 3 out of 5

About Dual

Recently diagnosed with a rare and incurable disease, Sarah is unsure how to process the news. To help ease her friends’ and family’s impending loss, she is encouraged to participate in a simple futuristic cloning procedure called “Replacement,” after which Sarah’s last days will be spent teaching the clone how to live on as Sarah once she’s gone. But while it takes only an hour for a clone to be made, things become significantly more challenging when that double is no longer wanted.

Dual played at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.