The School Duel (2024)7.0 /10

Storyline:  It’s time to swear allegiance to the independent state of Florida, where every citizen has the right to bear arms, worship God, and uphold the values declared by the glorious founders. A provocative and militarized fairy tale, THE SCHOOL DUEL is told from the point of view of Sam Miller (Kue Lawrence, MARSHMELLOW), a 13-year-old boy bullied by his classmates. Like many teens, Sam attends school without much enthusiasm, doesn’t care for the other students, and follows certain influencers to feel part of a community. But in this dystopian society, violence is everywhere, and despite the protests of his loving mother (Christina Brucato, THE MENU), Sam signs up for a highly controversial national competition called “School Duel.” It’s a government-sponsored game aimed at ending school shootings, where participants are cast as either “Martyrs” or “Kings.” Supported in the field by his supervisor (Micheal Sean Tighe) and cheered on by the Governor (played with delightfully sinister charm by Oscar Nuñez, from THE OFFICE), young Sam will make a few friends, many enemies, and constantly feel out of his depth. In the end, he’ll have to face the hard truths about society, adulthood, and his own life.