A Finnish city became the unlikely backdrop for a sci-fi clone duel
In short: When the COVID-19 pandemic halted production in North America, filmmakers had to pivot. They ended up in Tampere, Finland, to shoot a satirical thriller about a woman forced into a legal fight to the death against her own biological double.
The film 'Dual' (2022) explores a near-future scenario where Sarah, facing a terminal illness, creates a clone—'Sarah’s Double'—to take over her life and care for her loved ones. However, the plan unravels when Sarah unexpectedly enters remission. The two women find themselves in a legal predicament: because the clone requested to stay alive, they are forced into a publicized duel to the death. This narrative serves as a satirical exploration of intimacy, the fear of being forgotten, and the nature of identity.
The production's journey to Finland was born of necessity. Originally seeking locations in Canada or New Zealand, the crew settled on Tampere due to travel restrictions in the United States. The shoot lasted six weeks, during which lead actress Karen Gillan underwent a rigorous fitness regimen guided by local coaches. This collaboration was so successful that it led to an agreement between the City of Tampere and Film Tampere for future productions, including the creation of an international short film competition.
Critically, the film is noted for its 'lo-fi' approach to technology, utilizing slide projectors and dial tones rather than high-concept sci-fi tropes. While some critics felt the clone theme was familiar, others praised the 'sharp jabs of truth' regarding human mortality. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2022, before its US release on April 15, 2022, and eventually landing on AMC+.
The commercial performance was modest; in its opening weekend in the United States and Canada, it earned $118,254 across 157 theaters. Despite this, it maintained a generally favorable reception, holding a 62/100 score on Metacritic and a 70% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Dual (2022 film)
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