Modern take on "gentlemen's code" has mature content.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Language
a lot
Frequent use of "f--k" and "s--t," plus "bulls--t," "bitch," "son of a bitch," "dumbass" "ass," "hell," "shut up," "idiot," "stupid," "god," "oh God," "oh my God," "for God's sake," "Jesus," and "Jesus Christ."
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Multiple scenes of drinking (wine, champagne, unspecified beverages in tiki/red plastic cups), smoking, vaping, and cocaine use. Verbal and visual references to weed, cocaine, "blow," and being drugged. Some characters are portrayed as being involved with a cartel, with verbal references to "drug baron," "drug lord," and "drug dealer." A game of beer pong is shown in the background of one scene, with a verbal reference to beer. No characters are shown acting drunk, though some drink quickly and in excess.
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Bloody gunshot wounds, including close-range kill shots and death. Fistfight results in facial bruising on a character's face. Weapons include guns and swords. One scene of animal violence/death; it happens off-screen, but disturbing noises are heard. Mention of incest.
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Verbal references to sex as "f--king" and "slept with." Mention of someone being "topless." One scene of a woman wearing a skimpy bathing suit, and one scene of a woman changing clothes behind a screen with a small visual slit; the shadowed outline of her body is visible. Statue of three naked people. Romantic sentiments, including "I love you" and "in love," are spoken multiple times.
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Multiple verbal references to Chili's and Sunny D. No product logos shown on camera.
Positive Messages
some
Honor and justice are worth defending. Promotes the idea of chivalry and its code for settling differences, while also implying the ridiculousness of dueling in modern times. Suggests that vengeance can lead to toxic masculinity. Themes of love, friendship, integrity, perseverance, and moral idealism.
Positive Role Models
a little
The main characters are portrayed as intelligent and emotionally controlled men who submit to historical solutions, rules, and codes of conduct to settle their modern-day grievances. They're also flawed, dealing with jealousy, betrayal, anger, and ego-driven willingness to go to great lengths to die and kill for their reputation/honor. Supporting characters offer discernment regarding friendship, love, and doing the right thing while also dealing with their own internal moral and value struggles.
Diverse Representations
very little
Cast and filmmakers are predominately White men. Supporting characters include Black actor Denny Love in a somewhat stereotypical "supportive best friend" role, and Latino actors in stereotypical "Mexican cartel" roles. Background characters include a mix of ethnicities and body types. The line "a modern woman deserves agency" is said by a female character, but it feels overshadowed by the fairly chauvinistic, male-driven story and theatrics of defending a "man's honor" and emphasizing the importance of "gentlemen's conduct" and a "gentleman's duel" while downplaying a woman's part in a love affair. Religion plays a part in this film, as characters' views of Catholic and atheist theology are highlighted.
Parents need to know that The Duel is a modern twist on a period piece dramedy. The story follows Woody (Callan Mcauliffe) as he challenges best friend Colin (Dylan Sprouse) to a duel to the death to settle a lovers' dispute. Violence includes bloody gunshot wounds, fistfighting, and death, including animal death (heard but not seen). Sexual content is mostly verbal references, plus a shot of a naked statue and a scene of a woman in a skimpy bathing suit. Language is stronger, with frequent use of "f--k" and "s--t," as well as "bitch," "son "dumbass" "oh my God," "Jesus Christ," and more. There are also multiple scenes of drinking (wine, champagne, unspecified beverages in tiki/red plastic cups), smoking, vaping, and cocaine use. While the story promotes the idea of integrity, chivalry, and a "gentlemen's code," it also suggests that vengeance can lead to toxic masculinity. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
This surprised me with how deep it is. Don’t worry, you get all the laughs you’d expect from a comedy, but you will leave the film with your mind racing and experiencing lots of different emotions. This was my indie gem for the year. 10/10
What's the Story?
THE DUEL follows best friends caught up in a story of love, betrayal, honor, and justice -- with a historical twist. When he discovers that his best friend has been sleeping with his girlfriend, Woody (Callan Mcauliffe) challenges Colin (Dylan Sprouse) to a gentlemen's duel to the death to defend his honor. Joined by their friends, strangers, and a drug cartel, the pair find that the bonds of friendship are tested with every tense moment and every counted step, with honor at stake and death on the line.
A modern twist on a period piece, The Duel is an entertaining homage to the lost art of "gentlemanly" conduct. Although it has one foot rooted in historically driven (and, many would argue, misogynistic) ideals and the other in modern-day shock-and-awe, the story addresses themes of love, betrayal, honor, and justice in a way that spans time. Ultimately, it's an extravagant display of flawed friendships and fates that are ultimately and intimately intertwined. This is modern-day romantic escapism with a dramatic dose of reality -- and a side chuckle with your pinky raised high to the sky.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Duel's idea that modern problems need historic solutions. Do you agree? Have you seen problems solved with "classic" or "ancient" methods/actions in other films?
From David and Goliath to Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, dueling is an historical way of settling significant personal and political disputes -- and restoring honor. Do you think that dueling is a chauvinistic act or a civil way to handle a dispute?
Why do you think that people are drawn to watching period films and TV shows? What's entertaining/fascinating about media inspired by history?
MPAA explanation:
language throughout, sexual references, drug use and brief violence
Last updated:
August 14, 2024
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By Christie Cronan
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