What a time to be alive ⚔️

I have a fantastic film to share with you today, I hope you are ready. The Last Duel stars Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Ben Affleck, and Jodie Comer and my goodness do this one do a great job of telling an intricate story.

This film is based on the true story of France's last trial by combat back during the Middle Ages, towards the end of the 1300s. Knight Jean de Carrouges (Damon) challenges his former friend Jacques Le Gris (Driver) to a duel after Jean's wife Marguerite (Comer) accuses Le Gris of rape. Told in multiple "Rashomon-style" points of view. If you can't tell by the names, this is set in France.

This is going to be one of those films that are really hard to talk about since I do not want to spoil this amazing plot. I will be lightly discussing what to expect from this movie. This is however going to be one of the films that you just have to watch to fully enjoy it.

This time period is brutal, filthy, and damn exciting to watch. Society was so different back during this time period. Most of us are pretty familiar with the Middle Ages, but The Last Duel will give you a very close look at what life may have been like. Just don't expect the language to be 100% on point, everyone speaks normal English, despite when it takes place.

Jean de Carrouges and Jacques Le Gris are both cool names, but hard to remember for me. All of these French names are difficult to keep up with for a regular English speaker like me. I will be referring to all of the characters by their names in real life, it is just way easier for me.

Basically, Damon and Driver seem to be pretty good buddies at the beginning of the film. Then life happens and they just don't get along like they used to. Driver is smart while Damon is dumb as can be. Both are hardened warriors and willing to fight for their people.

Pierre d'Alençon (Affleck) is the main man around this part of France. Driver is Affleck's right-hand man and is rewarded over and over for his reliability. Damon just cannot seem to get anything right and draws the short straw over and over. You can feel the tension build and watch as Damn and Driver build their rivalry.

To keep from spoiling, I won't tell you why these two men must duel, but trust me when I say the plot is very engaging. I was hooked on learning the three main character's sides to the story. Although the same story is told three times, it is not repetitive in the least bit.

I found myself falling in love and then learning to hate each character as more was revealed. Damon, Driver, and Comer are the main focus here, but Affleck manages to fit right in the middle of it all.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this movie going in, but it left me wanting to watch it again. It starts slow, but continually surprises the viewers with plot twist after plot twist. If you enjoy drama, you are in for one of the most dramatic stories ever.

Loyalty was huge during the Middle Ages. It still is today, but it was life or death back then. Damon and Driver both show their loyalty in different ways to different people. You can't help but love both characters, yet also look forward to watching them finally battle each other in the last duel.

Although the film teases the duel at the beginning, it doesn't even feel like the same fight by the end. You have most likely already picked a side once the duel starts. Let me say that this battle really is a good one. Things get bloody in no time and I will leave it to you to find out who wins.

After you do watch this through all the way, I would love to know who you think deserved to win. After everything that happens in this memorable story, surely we all have different views as to what was right and wrong. I was so glad to finally get to watch this film, it was one of my favorites in a very long time. I mean that too. I'll leave you with the trailer below. Enjoy!