THE SCHOOL DUEL
Starring: Kue Lawrence, Christina Brucato, Jamad Mays, Michael Sean Tighe, Eugene Bondurant, and Oscar Nuñez
Director: Todd Wiseman Jr.
This film has been reviewed by Quentin and Nick as part of Bitesize Breakdown's coverage of the 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival.
QUENTIN
Although it could not be any more different in tone, The School Duel plays like a prophetic tale for America à la Idiocracy. To be clear, this is not “entertainment;” it’s director Todd Wiseman Jr. having something important to say. To be perfectly honest, I respect it far more than I enjoyed it; however, I can’t deny the messaging about school shootings, adolescence, privilege, inequality, competition, and bullying resonates in all-too-real, grim, and heartbreaking ways. I completely understand that most people probably won’t want to spend 90 minutes with this film, but I’m glad I did (even if I never want to do it again).
NICK
The School Duel is the rare film where the subdued build-up is actually more interesting than the final climactic battle scene. Shot in beautiful black and white, I was into this for the first hour or so as Samuel (Kue Lawrence) was broken down continuously by his teachers and school bullies. Then once we got to The School Duel, my interest began to wane a little. It's the message of this film that is strongest though, as director Todd Wiseman Jr. shines a spotlight on the pathway to school shootings and a worrisome future for the youth of America.