DUAL

It's both unsurprising and unexpected just how good Karen Gillan is in this film. Given the tricky nature of deadpan comedy and the film's concept, it would be easy to play both Sarah and Sarah's Double in identical nuances, but Gillan imbues them both with such distinct character – and unique comedic timing – that they genuinely feel like real, distinct people. Even if the narrative skews in favour of Sarah, Gillan's performances ensures audiences can't help but find sympathy for her Double too (and disdain for the way Marvel Studios often kills the opportunities its actors get to regularly star in projects like this). Aaron Paul ('El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie') is also hilarious as Sarah's trainer Trent, a would-be slime ball whose subversion of such expectation makes for one of the film's biggest laughs.

Despite the cast being super game, 'Dual' leaves its thematic potential thoroughly untapped. It's a shame, because the concept is so interesting that I wanted it to go further. The fantastic opening scene starring Theo James (TV's 'The Time Traveler's Wife') suggests a dramatically different film than the one we get, one that intends on interrogating memory, perception, our legacy once we pass and the role technology plays in all if this, but that corner of the concept is all but dropped in favour of letting Gillan just do her thing. It's not necessarily a deal breaker, but it's frustrating nevertheless.

It's clear that 'Dual' has plenty of fantastic ideas it wants to explore, but it just doesn't seem to know what these are or how to get there, which leaves a lot more exploration to be desired. Despite this, Gillan's performances make 'Dual' a worthy and entertaining way to spend an evening.