Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel (2021) is a medieval epic that trades grand battles for something far more harrowing—a Rashomon-style retelling of a brutal assault, where perspective shapes the truth. The film, based on true events, unfolds through three distinct narratives, each offering a different account of the same crime. With a stellar cast led by Matt Damon, Adam Driver, and Jodie Comer, the movie is as much a historical drama as it is a sobering commentary on power, justice, and gender dynamics.
The story revolves around Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon), a battle-hardened knight, his former friend turned rival Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), and Jean’s wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer), whose accusation of rape against Jacques sets the stage for France’s last officially recognized trial by combat. The film is divided into three chapters—Jean’s version, Jacques’ version, and Marguerite’s version, the latter of which is framed as the ultimate truth. With each retelling, details shift, revealing the biases, self-delusions, and outright lies embedded in the previous accounts.
This structure is The Last Duel’s greatest strength, allowing Scott to explore how truth is manipulated by those in power. Damon and Driver deliver layered performances, each portraying their characters in subtly different ways as the story unfolds. Jean sees himself as a noble warrior, but his version exposes his stubbornness and wounded ego. Jacques, charismatic and well-liked, views himself as the romantic hero of his own story—until the final perspective lays bare his monstrous actions. Jodie Comer is the film’s powerhouse, bringing both vulnerability and resilience to a character who is consistently denied autonomy in a world ruled by men.
Despite its intricate storytelling, The Last Duel struggles with pacing, particularly in Marguerite’s chapter. By the time her version unfolds, the audience already has a clear picture of the events, making parts of the third act feel drawn out. With a runtime exceeding 2 hours and 30 minutes, the film demands patience, though its gripping performances and Scott’s meticulous direction ensure it remains compelling.
Visually, the film is stunning. Scott masterfully recreates 14th-century France with gritty realism, from dimly lit castles to blood-soaked battlefields. The final duel—brutal, visceral, and nerve-wracking—is one of the most intense sequences Scott has ever filmed, cementing his ability to stage action with weight and consequence.
Seeing The Last Duel on the big screen was a reminder of Ridley Scott’s talent for immersive world-building and high-stakes storytelling. While it may not be as endlessly rewatchable as some of his other historical epics, it stands out for its commitment to telling a difficult, unsettling story with nuance and depth. It’s a film that demands your engagement, and leaves you questioning how history is written—and who gets to tell the story.
Score: 7/10
The Last Duel (2021)
- Cast: Jodie Comer, Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Ben Affleck
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Genre: Action, Drama, History
- Runtime: 153 minutes
- Rated: R
- Release Date: October 15, 2021
More Reviews for Movies Directed by Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott has directed the following movies:
- Alien (1979)
- Blade Runner (1982)
- Thelma & Louise (1991)
- Gladiator (2000)
- The Martian (2015)
- The Last Duel (2021)
- House of Gucci (2021)
- Napoleon (2023)
- Gladiator II (2024)