The Last Duel

The Last Duel
Name	The Last Duel
Director	Ridley Scott
Producer	Ridley Scott, Kevin J. Walsh, Jennifer Fox, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck
Writer	Nicole Holofcener, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon
Starring	Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Ben Affleck
Music	Harry Gregson-Williams
Cinematography	Dariusz Wolski
Editing	Claire Simpson
Studio	Scott Free Productions, Pearl Street Films
Distributor	20th Century Studios
Released	10 September 2021 (Venice Film Festival), 15 October 2021 (United States)
Runtime	152 minutes
Country	United States, United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	$100 million
Gross	$30.6 million

The Last Duel is a 2021 historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Nicole Holofcener, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon. The narrative is structured in a Rashomon-style triptych, presenting differing perspectives on the events leading to the final judicial duel in French history. Set in 14th century France, the film explores themes of truth, power, and justice through the accounts of knight Jean de Carrouges, squire Jacques Le Gris, and Lady Marguerite de Carrouges.

Plot

The story unfolds in three distinct chapters, each titled "The Truth According to..." a different character. The first chapter follows the perspective of Jean de Carrouges, a respected but financially struggling knight who believes his former friend, the charismatic Jacques Le Gris, has violated his wife, Marguerite de Carrouges. The second chapter retells the events from the viewpoint of Jacques Le Gris, who portrays the encounter as consensual. The final and definitive chapter presents the account of Marguerite de Carrouges, who accuses Jacques Le Gris of rape and must endure the perilous scrutiny of the patriarchal judicial system. Her testimony leads to a decree by King Charles VI for a judicial duel to the death between her husband and the accused, with the belief that God will grant victory to the truthful party. The film culminates in the brutal duel of 1386 at the Saint-Martin-des-Champs Priory.

Cast

The principal cast features Matt Damon as the stern and prideful Jean de Carrouges, and Adam Driver as the sophisticated and ambitious Jacques Le Gris. Jodie Comer portrays Marguerite de Carrouges, whose resilience forms the film's emotional core. Ben Affleck plays the decadent and politically shrewd Count Pierre d'Alençon, a powerful noble who favors Jacques Le Gris. Supporting roles include Harriet Walter as Nicole de Buchard, Alex Lawther as the young King Charles VI, and Marton Csokas as Crespin. Nathaniel Parker appears as Sir Robert de Thibouville.

Production

Development began after Matt Damon and Ben Affleck optioned the book The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France by Eric Jager. They wrote the screenplay with Nicole Holofcener, marking their first writing collaboration since Good Will Hunting. Ridley Scott was enlisted to direct, with filming occurring in France and Ireland during 2020. Key locations included the Château de Beynac and the Ballymore Eustace countryside. The production faced significant delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film's score was composed by Harry Gregson-Williams, with cinematography by frequent Scott collaborator Dariusz Wolski.

Historical accuracy

The film is based on the well-documented historical event known as the Duel of 1386. The core facts—the accusation by Marguerite de Carrouges, the denial by Jacques Le Gris, and the resulting judicial duel sanctioned by King Charles VI and Parliament—are accurate. However, as with many historical dramas, certain characters and relationships are dramatized or condensed for narrative effect. The portrayal of Count Pierre d'Alençon's character and the specific dynamics of the Hundred Years' War backdrop incorporate creative interpretation. The film's depiction of medieval legal procedures, particularly the peril faced by an accuser in a rape case, is grounded in historical research.

Reception

Critical reception was generally positive, with particular praise for Jodie Comer's performance and the film's timely examination of gendered power structures. However, some critics found the narrative structure repetitive and noted the film's commercial underperformance at the box office. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival and later competed for the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film earned nominations for its costume design at the British Academy Film Awards and the Critics' Choice Movie Awards.

Themes and analysis

The film is a rigorous examination of systemic misogyny, the subjective nature of truth, and the weaponization of honor in a patriarchal society. The Rashomon structure highlights how power and privilege shape perception and narrative. Marguerite de Carrouges's chapter ultimately serves as the film's moral and factual anchor, critiquing a legal system where women were property and their testimony was inherently suspect. The climactic duel is framed not as a heroic contest but as a brutal spectacle that ultimately fails to deliver true justice for the victim, offering a stark critique of medieval—and by extension, contemporary—systems of justice and gender politics.

Category:2021 films Category:American historical drama films Category:English-language films