The Last Duel
dir. Ridley Scott · 2021
Feature
Revenge & Justice
Mood
Tense / Dark
Look
gritty realism with stark contrasts and muted colors
Structure
Rashomon-style, presenting multiple viewpoints
Plot
Based on the true story of France's last trial by combat in the Middle Ages. Knight Jean de Carrouges challenges his former friend Jacques Le Gris to a duel after Jean's wife Marguerite accuses Le Gris of rape. Told in multiple "Rashomon-style" points of view.
Why watch
"The Last Duel" immerses viewers in a harrowing tale of honor, betrayal, and the quest for justice, where the truth is as elusive as the sword's edge. With its tense narrative and morally complex characters, this film challenges perceptions of truth and loyalty in a brutal medieval landscape.
Cultural context
contemporary discussions on consent and justicethe legacy of chivalric codesgender dynamics in historical narratives