The School Duel movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The School Duel

RATING: Not Rated (contains mature themes, violence, and intense dystopian imagery)

LENGTH: 91 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B

IN A NUTSHELL:

Set in a dystopian Florida where gun control has been abolished and school shootings are at an all-time high, the state government introduces a chilling solution: “The School Duel.” This televised, state-wide death match features student “candidates” competing for a golden crown and the title of “king,” while the losers become martyrs for the state. The story follows Sam Miller, a bullied 13-year-old seeking purpose and notoriety, who secretly enlists in the deadly competition against his mother’s wishes.

The School Duel is a low-budget, yet provocative dystopian thriller about fear, manipulation, gun rights, and is one of the most brazenly political genre films in recent memory. The film was written and directed by Todd Wiseman Jr. In a 2025 interview, he expressed frustration with the “illogical” intersection of “God, guns, and Trump” in Florida culture and spoke about the “f***ed up” state of the country regarding mass shootings, stating that “there needs to be change now.”

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

• Violence: The film deals with a “death sport” and televised matches where children fight with weapons. Different kinds of firearms are celebrated, sung about, and even cheered about by cheerleaders. It’s like watching a paintball match with real firearms. Yes, we see bloody, violent deaths, albeit in black and white.

• Mature Themes: Discussion of school shootings, gun culture, and the exploitation of children for political spectacle.

• Imagery: The film is shot in grim black and white, creating an uneasy and bleak atmosphere.

• Substance Use: There are mentions of opioid addiction impacting characters in this world.

• Profanity: Even though multiple characters say “No profanity!” or “No language!”, we hear plenty of it, including F-bombs by kids.

THEMES:

• The dehumanization of children in political spectacles

• The search for identity and purpose through violence

• Grief and the lack of mental health support

• Satire of modern American gun culture and patriotism

• Courage
• Rights
• The cost of freedom
• Anti-conservative ideas
• Nationalism
• Bullying

THINGS I LIKED:

• Performances: Young Kue Lawrence is superb as Sammy, bringing vulnerability to a complex role. Christina Brucato gives a heartbreaking performance as his struggling, single mother.

• Supporting Cast: Oscar Nuñez (of The Office fame) plays effectively against type as a cynical, ambitious, conservative governor of Florida. He might be the only actor you recognize in the film. Sadly, his role is quite small.

• Visual Style: The choice to use black-and-white strips away Hollywood glamour, making the violence feel brutal and unglamorous. It also feels like it was a deliberate choice to reflect America’s black-and-white values of the 1940s and 1950s.

• Satirical Elements: The use of cheerleaders, brass bands, and a “weapon wheel” decorated with children’s drawings creates a chillingly effective satire of American traditions.

• Social Media: We see the influence of consuming violent social media on the young protagonist and how it affects his attitude, behavior, and willingness to participate in the deadly school competition.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• Politics as usual: Liberals will think the movie is brilliant, while conservatives will roll their eyes at the nonsense. In the USA, the right to bear arms is under constant debate. This film is a twisted look at how liberals perceive conservatives in their cold-hearted quest for the right to bear arms to defend themselves against the growing criminal population at all costs. This is the future they think conservatives want. I would like to see the director create another film that shows what the future would look like without the right to defend ourselves while crime increases all around us.

• Pacing: Some viewers may find the “grim and uncompromising” tone difficult to endure.

• Bleakness: It is a heavy, “hell of a finisher” that leaves you with feelings of dread and sorrow rather than hope.

• Religion: I hate it when liberals mock Christians and portray them as ignorant on screen. We hear religious music, especially at the end. Putting a crown of thorns on the head of a child seemed overly disrespectful.
• Sound effects: The pounding soundtrack is a bit grating.
• Ending: Some viewers may be confused by the double ending. Which did you prefer?

FUNNY LINES:

• The film’s humor is dark and satirical, often found in the “fine American tradition” of the duel as described by the governor. Other than satire, there are no humorous lines that will make you laugh out loud.

INTERESTING LINES:

• “Be a wolf.” – The Governor, urging young contestants to be ruthless.  (Oscar Nunez)

• “It’s just violence. It’s not like sex or anything.” – Samuel Miller  (Kue Lawrence)
• “We’re not really solving anything here, are we?” – James  (Clayton Royal Johnson)
• “No one wants to see their weapon controlled by someone else.” – Captain Stegmann  (Michael Sean Tighe)

MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:

• Battle Royale:  https://amzn.to/4caAiEo 

• The Hunger Games:  https://amzn.to/3QskhkF

• The Long Walk (2025):  https://amzn.to/4837pHK

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