Cast:
Karen GillanSarah
Aaron PaulTrent
Beulah KoalePeter
Theo JamesRobert Michaels
Elina JacksonOfficial with Flags
Maija PaunioSarah's Mother
Director:
Riley Stearns
Dual (2022): Spoiler-Free Review
Dual is Riley Stearns’s 2022 science fiction dark comedy about a woman and her clone. It is dry, odd and funny.
The Premise
Sarah (Karen Gillan) learns that she has a fatal illness. In this near future, she can have a clone made to comfort her family after she dies. Then Sarah recovers, and the clone stays alive. The law says only one of them may live. They are sent to fight in a duel in 12 months, so Sarah starts to train.
Why It Works
- Karen Gillan plays both roles, with a flat, deadpan style that is funny and sad.
- The film has a precise, cold look and a dry sense of humor.
- Aaron Paul adds an odd, fun turn as Sarah’s trainer.
- The dialogue sounds like it was written by robots, which fits the world.
At a Glance
- Director and writer: Riley Stearns
- Cast: Karen Gillan, Aaron Paul, Beulah Koale, Theo James
- Setting: The near future
- Genre: Dark comedy, science fiction
Verdict
A deadpan, strange comedy with a smart, cold wit. Some will find it too cold, and others will love it.
- Who should watch: Fans of dark comedies and odd science fiction.
- Spoilers: none. We never reveal the twist in this review.
Frequently Asked Questions About:
"Dual"
Who directed Dual?
Riley Stearns wrote and directed it.
Who stars in Dual?
Karen Gillan and Aaron Paul star.
Is Dual a comedy?
It is a dark, deadpan comedy with science fiction themes.
Does Karen Gillan play two roles?
Yes. She plays Sarah and her double.
Last updated: November, 2026
– Film details and cast information checked.
7.9
8.2
6.4
7
7.7
