Ridley Scott’s Overlooked Film The Last Duel Sets Hulu Release Date

by

He’s a highly praised director known for making popular movies. However, his big-budget historical film from four years ago wasn’t as successful.

Despite having a great cast, a compelling story, and mostly good reviews, the historical drama *The Last Duel* didn’t do well in theaters. Now, the film has a second opportunity to find an audience, as it becomes available to stream on Hulu starting November 1st.

The 2021 film *The Last Duel* is adapted from Eric Jager’s 2004 book, *The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France*. The screenplay was a collaboration between Nicole Holofcener, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon, while Ridley Scott directed the film and also produced it with the screenwriters, Kevin J. Walsh, and Jennifer Fox.

Starring Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Harriet Walter, and Alex Lawther, *The Last Duel* also reunited writers and actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon after nearly thirty years. Damon plays the role of the cruel knight Sir Jean de Carrouges, while Affleck appears as the clever Count Pierre d’Alençon.

Based on a true story, The Last Duel takes place in 14th-century France during the Hundred Years’ War. The film centers on Jean da Carrouges, a knight, who challenges his one-time friend and protégé, Jacques le Gris, to a duel. This challenge comes after Jean’s wife, Marguerite, accuses Jacques of a terrible assault. The story unfolds in three parts, each presenting the events leading up to the duel from the viewpoints of Jean, Jacques, and Marguerite.

The Last Duel Received Praise for Its Historical Accuracy

As a film buff, I was really struck by how this movie, while incredibly dark and intense, is rooted in true events. It definitely takes some liberties with the story to explore certain ideas, but it stays true to the core historical happenings, and it really makes you question what we think we know about the last officially sanctioned duel in France. It’s fascinating!

Critics loved the film, giving it a strong ‘Certified Fresh’ rating of 85% based on nearly 300 reviews. Viewers generally agreed, awarding it an 81% score. While it initially played in theaters, the film really gained popularity with audiences after its release.

Despite costing $100 million to make, the film *The Last Duel* only earned $30 million at the box office, making it a financial failure. However, the historical drama found a wider audience when it became available on streaming services earlier this year, where it gained popularity.

Soon after the movie was released, someone commented on the current audience, saying they’ve grown up with cellphones and don’t seem interested in learning unless information is delivered through those devices.

The film struggled for reasons beyond just not appealing to millennials. It lacked a strong marketing push and opened during the early stages of the pandemic, when many people were still hesitant to gather in crowded places. To make matters worse, it was released only a week before the highly anticipated film *Dune*, which captured the attention of most of the audience it was hoping to reach.

The Last Duel premieres on Hulu on Nov. 1.

Read More

2025-10-19 02:11