The Last Duel

Main Plot

"The Last Duel," directed by Ridley Scott, is a historical drama set in medieval France. The film is based on true events and explores the story of the last legally sanctioned duel in the country's history. The narrative centers around the conflict between Jean de Carrouges and Jacques Le Gris, two friends turned bitter rivals. The dispute arises when Marguerite, Jean's wife, accuses Jacques of a grave crime. Her allegations are met with skepticism and scorn in a society dominated by male perspectives and feudal justice. The film delves into the themes of honor, justice, and the treatment of women within the patriarchal social structure of the time. It presents the story through multiple viewpoints, offering different perspectives on the events that lead to the duel. As tensions escalate, the characters' lives and reputations are put on the line, culminating in a dramatic and deadly duel that seeks to determine the truth in a profoundly flawed judicial system. The movie combines intense action with deep social commentary, highlighting the complexities of truth and the human condition.

Characters

• Matt Damon plays Sir Jean de Carrouges, a knight who challenges his squire to a duel to defend his wife's honor after she accuses the squire of rape.
• Adam Driver plays Jacques Le Gris, a squire accused of raping the wife of his friend and fellow knight, leading to a trial by combat to resolve the accusation.
• Jodie Comer plays Marguerite de Carrouges, a noblewoman whose assault accusation against her husband's friend leads to a trial by combat to resolve the dispute.

Ending Explained

"The Last Duel," directed by Ridley Scott, concludes with a dramatic and brutal trial by combat between Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), set in medieval France. This duel is sanctioned by King Charles VI as the ultimate means to resolve a grievous accusation — the alleged rape of Marguerite de Carrouges (Jodie Comer), Jean's wife, by Le Gris. The narrative, which unfolds from multiple perspectives, culminates in this violent and decisive duel. In the climactic scene, the combat is intense and deadly, reflecting the gravity of the accusation and the societal implications of the outcome. Jean ultimately triumphs, mortally wounding Le Gris. According to the law of the time, the outcome of the duel is seen as God’s judgment, indicating Le Gris's guilt and Marguerite’s truthfulness in her accusation. The conclusion of the film underscores themes of justice, honor, and the severe consequences of the patriarchal structures of the time. Marguerite, who has risked her life by speaking out, is vindicated, but the victory is pyrrhic, highlighting the personal costs of seeking justice in a deeply flawed system.