The Last Duel

The 2021 American historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott, with a screenplay by Nicole Holofcener, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon, is based on Eric Jager's book "The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France." Set in 1386, the film recounts the last officially sanctioned judicial duel in France between knight Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and squire Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver). The duel arises from an accusation of rape made by Carrouges' wife, Marguerite de Carrouges (Jodie Comer), against Le Gris. The narrative is divided into three chapters, each presenting the events from the perspective of one of the main characters, highlighting the subjective nature of truth and memory. Jean de Carrouges is portrayed as a valiant yet prideful warrior seeking to restore his honor and status. Jacques Le Gris is depicted as a charismatic and educated man, favored by Count Pierre d'Alençon (Ben Affleck), leveraging his position for advancement. Marguerite de Carrouges, facing societal prejudice and the threat of execution for false accusation, bravely steps forward, making her one of the first women in French history to publicly denounce sexual assault. The film culminates in a tense and brutal duel between Carrouges and Le Gris, the outcome of which determines not only the accused's fate but also Marguerite's life. The film delves into themes of honor, truth, female empowerment, and social injustice, emphasizing how personal ambitions and societal norms can distort perceptions of reality. Despite critical acclaim for its direction, performances, and thematic relevance, the film underperformed at the box office, grossing $30.6 million against a $100 million budget.