Duel: A weirdly intense game of Russian roulette

Is it worth the time?

If you like movies that feel like a fever dream from a bygone era, sure. If you prefer logic, run for the hills. This is basically for people who enjoy watching characters make absolutely terrible life choices in the name of 'love.' 🙄

The whole thing feels like a stage play that got lost on its way to a theater. It’s tight, it’s dramatic, and honestly, the girl at the center of this mess is kind of a wildcard.

The Setup

So, we have Fedya and Valentin. Both of them are clearly smitten, and they’re both clearly idiots. They show up for a date, realize the other is there, and instead of just walking away, they stay.

Then Dina walks in. She doesn’t choose one. She chooses a revolver. It’s an insane escalation, even for a silent-era style drama. Who thinks, 'Oh, you both like me? Let’s play with a gun'?

The tension in the room is thick. It’s the kind of thing where you’re just waiting for a mistake.

Odd Observations

• The revolver looks way too clean for a high-stakes standoff.
• The lighting in the room shifts in a way that feels like someone was just messing with the switch.
• The lead actress has this look in her eyes that says she’s already bored with both of them.

It’s not as polished as The Girl in the Taxi, but it has a weird, nervous energy that I kind of liked. It feels stripped back. There isn't much music to tell you how to feel, so you just watch these guys sweat.

It reminds me a bit of the frantic energy in Dumb Dicks, though obviously in a totally different genre. Just people acting out because they don't know how to talk to each other like adults.

The ending isn't exactly groundbreaking. You probably see where it’s going long before the characters do. But that’s fine. It’s a short trip. Don't expect a masterpiece. Just watch it for the weird audacity of the whole thing.