Watch The Last Duel

The Last Duel is a historical drama movie directed by Ridley Scott and released in 2021. The movie is an adaptation of the 2004 book The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France by Eric Jager. The movie features an ensemble cast including Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, and Ben Affleck. The Last Duel is set in 14th-century France and tells the story of the last legally recognized trial by combat to take place in France. The movie centers around the lives of three main characters - Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon), Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), and Marguerite de Thibouville (Jodie Comer).

Jean de Carrouges is a knight in the service of King Charles VI. He returns from the war to find that his wife Marguerite has been raped by his former friend Jacques Le Gris. Jean believes Marguerite's story and is outraged by the injustice. He decides to seek justice through a trial by combat, which was the legal recourse at the time. However, a trial by combat means that Jean must fight Jacques to the death.

Jacques Le Gris, on the other hand, is a squire who denies raping Marguerite. He is a skilled fighter and confident that he will win the trial by combat. Moreover, he is supported by influential nobles who do not want to see Jean prevail.

Marguerite de Thibouville is Jean's wife, who is caught in the middle of this conflict. She wants justice for what happened to her but also knows that if Jean loses the trial, he will be killed. She is also aware that if Jacques wins, he will go free and she will be branded a liar.

The movie is divided into three chapters, each told from the perspective of one of the three main characters. The first chapter is told from Jean's perspective and establishes the events leading up to the trial by combat. The second chapter is told from Marguerite's perspective and focuses on the aftermath of the rape and the tension between the three characters. The third chapter is told from Jacques' perspective and focuses on his preparation for the trial.

The Last Duel is a story about power, loyalty, and justice. It explores the themes of gender roles, class, and the norms of society in medieval France. The movie is beautifully shot and captures the period accurately, from the costumes to the production design.

The performances in the movie are outstanding. Matt Damon delivers a nuanced performance as the conflicted Jean de Carrouges, who is torn between his sense of honor and his love for his wife. Jodie Comer is brilliant as Marguerite, who is determined to seek justice for the wrongs done to her. Her performance is especially remarkable in the second chapter, where she shows the emotional toll of the events on her character. Adam Driver is also excellent as the cunning and manipulative Jacques Le Gris.

The Last Duel is an intense and thought-provoking movie that stays with you long after the credits roll. It raises questions about justice, truth, and the role of violence in settling disputes. The movie's climax, the trial by combat, is a gripping and suspenseful sequence that is sure to leave viewers at the edge of their seats.

In conclusion, The Last Duel is a must-watch movie for fans of historical dramas. Ridley Scott's direction, coupled with outstanding performances from the cast, makes this an unforgettable cinematic experience.

The Last Duel is a 2021 history movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 67.