Films So Good

“Dual” is an American satirical science fiction thriller film written, directed, and produced by Riley Stearns (The Art of Self-Defense’). “Dual” was filmed during Covid quarantine, so you have to take into account the restrictions, when you review the movie.

“Dual” is not a masterpiece, but it has a strong scenario that will keep you excited until the end and challenge you to face a lot of philosophical questions.

Plot

In a fictional world, when people are diagnosed with a fatal disease, they can clone themselves in order to cure their relatives’ emptiness for their loss. The prototypes and the clones have to pass much time together, so the clone to be ready to replace the dead prototype.

When she is informed that she is terminally ill, Sarah (Karen Gillan) decides to clone herself. However, a year later, Sarah -still alive- learns that she is not going to die. She wants to deactivate the clone, but the clone has already taken over Sarah’s life, having the sympathy of both her mother and her husband.

Here is the point that the ethical questions begin. Is it moral to have a clone to replace you? Can the prototypes “switch off” the clones? Should clones be treated as the equals? Why can’t they both live? Is the solution to set a duel between the prototype and the clone to decide who is going to live. Sarah will have to face all these issues. On her side, she will have a martial arts teacher (Aaron Paul) coaching her for the duel.

If you are a fan of movies such as “Ex Machina” (2014), “Morgan” (2016), “Little Joe” (2019), “Windfall” (2022) and the French “Deerskin” (2019), you will love this movie. Gillian gives a solid performance, there is a dark tone, pure cynicism and as we mentioned before a very intriguing plot.

Movie Rating: 61/100

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