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| The School Duel | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Todd Wiseman Jr. |
| Written by | Todd Wiseman Jr. |
| Produced by | Christa Boarini Todd Wiseman Jr. Bobby Marinelli Bryan Gaynor |
| Starring | Kue Lawrence Oscar Nuñez |
| Cinematography | Kyle Deitz |
| Edited by | Bryan Gaynor |
| Music by | Trevor Gureckis |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The School Duel is a 2026 American science fiction drama thriller film written and directed by Todd Wiseman Jr. The film is Wiseman Jr’s debut feature film, as well as Hudson Meek’s[2] final acting role.[3]
Premise
editThe School Duel is based in a near-future Florida where gun control in the state has been abolished. Florida’s governor, played by Oscar Nuñez of The Office, introduces a state-wide, televised fight-to-the-death competition known as "The School Duel," which acts as his solution to school shootings. In hopes of notoriety, Sammy, a troubled 13-year-old boy, secretly enlists against his mother’s wishes.[4]
Cast
edit- Kue Lawrence as Samuel Miller[5]
- Christina Brucato as Beth Miller[5]
- Oscar Nuñez as Governor Anthony 'The Ram' Ramiro[5]
- Jamad Mays as Coach Williams[6]
- Michael Sean Tighe as Captain Stegmann [5]
- Eugenie Bondurant as Principal Wigton[5]
- Hudson Meek as Sirius[7][8]
- Clayton Royal Johnson as James[5]
Production
editIn October 2025, it was announced that Tim Blake Nelson would executive producer The School Duel along with previously announced Jonathan Gray and Drake Sutton-Shearer.[9]
Filming took place around the Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, and Orlando areas of Florida in 2024.
Release
editThe film debuted in competition at the 50th Deauville American Film Festival in France on September 6, 2024[10], where director Wiseman Jr was nominated for Grand Special Prize, and the film won Canal+ Special 50th Anniversary Jury Prize.[11][12] It screened abroad at Night Visions Film Festival in Finland, Fantaspoa Film Festival in Brazil, Fantasia International Film Festival[13] in Canada. It won Best Film[14] at Terra di Siena in Italy and Best Director at Dark Nights Film Fest in Australia.
It appeared at Miami Film Festival[15] in 2024, where Wiseman Jr was nominated for the Jordan Ressler First Feature Award. The School Duel won Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay at Sunscreen Film Festival 2025. It also screened in the United States at Florida Film Festival.
In October 2025, it was announced that Altered Innocence would distribute The School Duel in North America.[16]
The School Duel opens in select theaters in the United States on Friday, April 24, 2026.[9]
Reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 85% of 13 critics' reviews are positive.[17]
References
edit- ↑ Schreur, Brandon (12 March 2026). "The Purge Tries to Stop School Shootings in The School Duel Trailer Starring Oscar Nuñez". Yahoo.com. Yahoo Entertainment. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ Bernabe, Angeline Jane. "'Baby Driver' actor Hudson Meek remembered as confident and kind". Good Morning America. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ kermode, jennie. "Eye For Film: Interview with Todd Wiseman Jr. and Jamad Mays about The School Duel". www.eyeforfilm.co.uk. Eye For Film. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ Boelman, Sean (2 August 2025). ""There needs to be change now. Not just another ten years later and some more mass school shootings or school shootings happening": The School Duel Director Todd Wiseman Jr. and Actor Jamad Mays on Their Provocative Thriller at Fantasia 2025 (INTERVIEW)". fandomwire.com. Fandom Wire. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ntim, Zac (6 February 2025). "'The School Duel:' Todd Wiseman Jr. Thriller Heading To EFM With Alliance Media Partners". Deadline. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ Melendez, Marcos (13 March 2026). "'Hunger Games' Meets 'The Purge' in Tense Trailer for New Dystopian Action Thriller". MovieWeb. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ Chiu, David. "Teen Actor Hudson Joseph Meek, Who Appeared in Baby Driver, Dies at 16 After Falling from Moving Vehicle". People.com. People Magazine. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ "Hudson Meek | Emmy Awards and Nominations". Television Academy. Television Academy. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- 1 2 Lattanzio, Ryan (12 March 2026). "'The School Duel' Trailer: Indie 'Hunger Games' Meets 'The Purge' in a Dystopian Florida Without Gun Control". IndieWire. IndieWire. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ "Images of Monday, September 9". Festival du Cinéma Américain de Deauville. Deauville American Film Festival. 10 September 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ "FCAD 2024: The Canal+ Special 50th Anniversary Prize The School Duel by Todd Wiseman Jr (Speech)". YouTube. Mulderville. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ Croll, Ben (15 September 2024). "'In the Summers' Takes Top Prize as Deauville Festival Charts New Course Post #MeToo". Variety. Variety. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ "Fantasia Festival | The School Duel". Fantasia International Film Festival. Fantasia International Film Festival.
- ↑ "Premi 2025". Terra Di Siena Film Festival (in Italian). Terra Di Siena Film Festival. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ Johnson, Bryce. "'The School Duel' explores themes of gun violence and religion". Mako News. Mako News. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ Mack, Andrew (27 January 2026). "SIX STARS: Watch This GTA Inspired Short Film From THE SCHOOL DUEL's Todd Wiseman Jr". ScreenAnarchy.com. Screen Anarchy. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ "The School Duel | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com.