Dual

So, what happens when you find out that your terminal illness isn’t terminal? In DUAL, for the main character, Sara, I guess it’s a Good News, Bad News scenario. When she was diagnosed, Sara elected to have a clone commissioned so her loved ones wouldn’t feel her loss so deeply (odd notion). Months later, she has gone into remission. Sara’s clone (who Sara has named, Sara’s Double) has spent the months learning how to be Sara, met Sara’s family, her boyfriend. In fact, she seems to think she makes a better Sara than the original (and they seem to like clone-Sara better than real-Sara, too). She doesn’t want to be “decommissioned”. Law dictates that after a certain point, a clone may petition to live. But only one gets to keep the identity and live. Which one, the original or the clone, will be determined by a duel to the death in one year. During that year, Sara is legally required to financially support her clone – who has already essentially taken over Sara’s life and relationships.Karen Gillan (thumbs up) pulls off the tricky job of portraying both Sara and not-Sara; two people who are “the same” but different. Sara seems oddly disassociated from herself, her own life and family. Clone-Sara seems much more comfortable in real-Sara’s life than Sara herself. At least, at first. I liked DUAL. And I like the idea of it. The film follows Sara and her preparations for the duel. When it finally comes, the outcome of events may be somewhat in doubt.My favorite parts were the scenes that showed a kind of mind game dynamic between the Saras when they were face to face that I thought would have been cool to see more of. I also liked the moments when a sly, VERY dry humor surfaced (scenes with Sara’s trainer, Trent, for example; thumbs up, Aaron Paul). At the same time, I felt as if Sara’s disconnected personality (though deliberately so) also made it hard for me to connect with her as a viewer. Likewise, the overall tone of the movie, like Sara’s personality, felt distant. Like a hanging out with someone that you like more than they like you.There is a brief appearance by (the always watchable) Theo James as an original and a clone, foreshadowing upcoming events in Sara’s life.So a good story and a great idea, even if the execution felt a bit off. Not every at-bat gets hit clean out of the park. I still like it and would recommend a look.

As fans of Karen Gillan and dark comedies, this looked like a good match - and it was. Haven't seen any other Riley Stearns films, but we enjoyed this one. Gillan and Aaron Paul are great together. I also listened to the audio commentary by Stearns, and it was solid with lots of insights into casting and how the film was made in Finland. Would have loved it even more if there were a VUDU digital copy code included, but alas I'll need to buy it separately.

A mix of emotions involving death, family, and lover. Not easy to keep everything in check especially the ending. Needs more action less drama

Just watched it for Arron Paul;)

I love the actress Karen Gillan so I was very excited to watch this movie.. the issue is the ending left a lot to be desired!! its a story that builds up to a resolution duel as in the name of the title, which honestly never happens..Its worth a look even with the bad ending but I would wait until it comes to dvd or tv..

This is an odd Sci-fi movie. This actress plays a different role than the ones you've seen in s.a. Jumanji or MCU. It does note have a happy or moral ending if that matters to you

I totally dug The Art of Self-Defense with the weird character choices and violent action. Dual left me feeling a different way. I didn't hate it but I didn't like it. It left me ambivalent. The quirky was good enough to keep me going. Your mileage may vary. Just my opinion.

It depends if you’re into the whole deadpan dry humor. Decent sci-fi movie with enough entertainment. Watch it for the Aaron Paul dance.