
Family movie night? There's an app for that
Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.
The Duel
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Muddled, violent Western echoes Apocalypse Now.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Duel
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In the 19th century -- an era of continuing disputes regarding land at what is now the Mexico-Texas border -- some white Americans use violent means to keep Mexicans from crossing into U.S. territory; THE DUEL focuses on Abraham (Woody Harrelson), a man with a long history of violence and a cult-like following for his "preaching." Authorities suspect he's behind the killing of innocent, unarmed Mexicans in a tiny Texas hamlet. The governor sends David (Liam Hemsworth), an earnest young Texas Ranger, to investigate undercover. In a monumental error in judgment, David brings his Mexican wife along for the ride, and a series of weird, violent events ensues.
Is It Any Good?
So many wrong turns by The Duel's writer and director make the errors in judgment committed by the movie's characters seem forgivable in comparison. The script mindlessly coughs out modern phrases not used in the 1800s -- for example, someone "did a number" on someone else. But far worse logical mistakes make this movie a muddle. Why would David ever take his Mexican wife along on an undercover mission to root out a vicious madman known for heinous acts of barbarism against Mexicans? How does the madman know who the lawman is the moment the undercover Texas Ranger arrives? How does the madman predict that the wife will come down with a fever? How does the devilish mad "preacher" turn the loving wife into an acolyte in a matter of days? Magic? The power of god?
And the references to Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 Apocalypse Now -- from the hellish killings down to the fetishistic close-ups of Harrelson's sweaty, shaven head (reminiscent of Marlon Brando's) -- are less reverence than a sign of The Duel's artistic poverty. Most puzzling of all: How can a guy so badly wounded that he's closed his eyes to die be upright in a saddle only minutes later riding away to safety? Note that the designated "bad guy" wears white, customarily symbolic of purity and good, while the "good guy" wears black. Very message-y. The movie's greatest flaw is that, despite all the violence, it isn't nearly as disturbing or instructive as it seems to want to be.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Duel's violence. How does it compare to what you might see in an action movie? Which has more impact? Why? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Does the movie condone the violence that the Texas Ranger must use in order to combat Abraham's evil? Do the ends ever justify the means?
Abraham is cruel, especially to those he's prejudiced against -- i.e. the Mexicans. What message does his attitude send? What can we take away from seeing how his character behaves?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 24, 2016
- On DVD or streaming: August 23, 2016
- Cast: Liam Hemsworth , Woody Harrelson , Alice Braga
- Director: Kieran Darcy-Smith
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Latino actors
- Studio: Lionsgate Premier
- Genre: Western
- Run time: 110 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: strong violence and language
- Last updated: November 23, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Westerns for Kids and Teens
Best Action Movies for Kids
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate