🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Riley Stearns
- Genre: Drama, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Release year: 2022
- Runtime (length): 1h 34min
- IMDb rating: 5.8/10 (17K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 72%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A woman dying of a disease decides to clone herself, then gets better, so now she has to fight her clone to the death because…reasons.
🍿 Dual: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Terminal Diagnosis and Cloning
Sarah, a woman struggling with personal connections, receives a terminal diagnosis. Faced with her mortality, she decides to undergo a cloning procedure to ease the pain for her mother and distant boyfriend, Peter. The clone, meant to replace her, spends time learning Sarah’s habits and personality.

Unexpected Remission and Legal Duel
Unexpectedly, Sarah goes into remission. Now, according to the law, only one Sarah can exist. Because the clone wishes to remain alive, a duel to the death is mandated between Sarah and her double. She is given a year to train for this deadly confrontation.

Training and Bonding
Sarah hires Trent, a combat trainer, to prepare for the duel. As she trains, she grapples with the reality of having to kill a version of herself. She eventually encounters her clone, and they form a bond, even attending a support group for duel survivors.

Betrayal and Deception
The Sarah and her Double agree to go to Canada together and leave everything behind. But on their journey, Sarah discovers that her Double has poisoned her. The clone eventually arrives at the duel, pretending that she is the original Sarah and stating that the double has fled. She is cleared by the courts and takes over Sarah’s life.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Sarah (Karen Gillan): A depressed woman facing a terminal diagnosis who opts for cloning, only to recover and be forced into a duel with her replacement.
- Sarah’s Double (Karen Gillan): The clone of Sarah who develops a better relationship with Sarah’s loved ones, leading to a deadly confrontation.
- Trent (Aaron Paul): Sarah’s combat trainer who teaches her how to fight in the mandated duel, while also forming an unexpected bond with her.
- Peter (Beulah Koale): Sarah’s boyfriend who finds himself preferring the clone, complicating Sarah’s attempt to reclaim her life.
- Robert Michaels (Theo James): A duelist who won against his original, demonstrating the potential consequences of the duel system.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Doctor: “There’s a 98% chance you’re going to die.” – The doctor matter-of-factly informs Sarah of her terminal diagnosis, setting the cloning plot in motion.
- Trent: “Violence is the answer, sometimes.” – Trent’s blunt philosophy as he trains Sarah for the duel, highlighting the film’s dark humor.
- Sarah: “I’m going to unapologetically kill my double.” – Sarah states her intentions to Peter, marking her transition from passive to assertive.
💰Box Office
- Budget: €4.5M
- Domestic Gross: $185,212
- Worldwide Gross: $425,909
💥 Dual Reviews
Personal Review
I went in expecting a sci-fi action thriller, but ‘Dual’ is something else entirely. It’s strangely funny and unsettling at the same time. Karen Gillan is fantastic, playing both versions of Sarah with subtle differences that make them distinct. The ending left me with a lot to think about, especially regarding the nature of identity and self-preservation. It’s not a blockbuster, but it is definitely unique and thought-provoking. I recommend it if you are looking for something different.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of dark comedies”
- “Viewers interested in thought-provoking sci-fi”
- “Those who enjoy films with unique premises and ambiguous endings”
- “People who like Karen Gillan and Aaron Paul”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Language”
- “Some sexual content/nudity”
- “Thematic elements related to mortality and identity”
Professional Reviews
- IndieWire: “Karen Gillan delivers a compelling dual performance, but the film’s dry humor and detached tone may not resonate with all viewers. The premise is intriguing, but the execution feels somewhat underdeveloped.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Riley Stearns’ ‘Dual’ offers a darkly comedic take on identity and mortality, elevated by Gillan’s committed performance. However, the film’s pacing is uneven, and its satirical edge sometimes feels too blunt.
Audience Reactions
Karen Gillan’s performance was incredible, selling both versions of the character perfectly.: Viewers enjoyed the dark humor and unique premise, though some found the pacing slow.
Overall Consensus: ‘Dual’ is a darkly comedic and thought-provoking film with a strong central performance, but its slow pace and detached tone may not appeal to all audiences.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was shot in Tampere, Finland, chosen for its low COVID-19 case numbers during the pandemic.”
- “Karen Gillan plays both Sarah and her clone, requiring her to perform scenes against herself.”
- “Director Riley Stearns also makes a cameo appearance in the film as a writer.”
🖥️ How to Watch Dual?
Dual is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability as it may vary by region. You can also find DVD and Blu-ray copies online or at major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Dual, you might like these similar films:
- The Lobster (2015): Shares a similar tone of deadpan humor and absurdist dystopian themes where relationships are dictated by strange societal rules.
- Swan Song (2021): Explores themes of cloning and identity with a focus on the emotional impact of being replaced, although with a more dramatic tone.
- The Art of Self-Defense (2019): Also directed by Riley Stearns, it features similar dark humor and awkward character interactions in an absurd, stylized setting.
- Another Earth (2011): Presents a low-key science fiction premise where a duplicate version of oneself exists, prompting questions about identity and second chances.
🛒 Dual Related Products
- Karen Gillan Signed 8×10 Photo – ‘Dual’ Movie Still: A rare autographed photo of Karen Gillan from the movie ‘Dual’. Features a high-quality print of a memorable scene from the film. Comes with a certificate of authenticity.
- Dual: The Graphic Novel (Unofficial): An independently created graphic novel inspired by the movie Dual that expands upon the story and dives deeper into the main character’s emotional journey and explores the philosophical implications of human cloning.
- Sarah vs. Sarah: The ‘Dual’ Inspired Survival Game: A strategic survival game where players take on the role of Sarah, battling their clone in a post-apocalyptic arena. Featuring unique weapons and abilities inspired by the movie.
- Dual Movie Poster – Limited Edition Print: A high-quality, limited-edition print of the official ‘Dual’ movie poster. Printed on premium paper and suitable for framing.
🎧 Soundtrack
Dual features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Gymnopedie No. 1” – performed by Erik Satie
- “String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13 – IV. Allegro agitato; Presto” – performed by Felix Mendelssohn
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Dual was filmed in Tampere, Finland. The choice of location was influenced by the Finnish government’s successful efforts to manage the COVID-19 pandemic during production.
The ambiguous ending of Dual leaves it up to the viewer to decide which Sarah survived. It emphasizes the film’s themes of identity and the complexities of replacing oneself.
Dual blends elements of dark comedy, science fiction, and thriller genres. Its deadpan humor and absurd situations create a unique viewing experience that defies easy categorization.
🔥 Bonus Content
《Dual》shorts1/3 #shorts #film #movie
Ever felt like you needed a quick recap of a movie you just watched? This short video perfectly summarizes Dual, hitting all the key points. It’s like a cheat sheet for understanding the movie, and honestly, it made me appreciate the plot even more!
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.