Is ‘The Last Duel’ Based On A True Story?

The latest Ridley Scott film, The Last Duel, is making news for plenty of reasons. It’s the first time that Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have collaborated on a script since Good Will Hunting (the film was co-written with Nicole Holofcener). It has an all-star cast: in addition to Damon and Affleck, it also stars Adam Driver and Jodie Comer. And the historically accurate hairstyles in the film are just outstanding. But is The Last Duel actually based on a true story?

Is The Last Duel Based On A True Story?

It says it right there in the trailer, but in case you had any doubts, yes, this is a true tale of mortal combat (and not a true tale of Mortal Kombat, sadly). The film is based on the 2004 Eric Jager book The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial By Combat, which takes place in Medieval France in 1386. The book chronicles the events that led up to the last officially sanctioned instance of trial by combat in France.

Who Were The Key Players In The Last Duel?

In January of 1386, Marguerite de Carrouges (played in the film by Jodie Comer) accused a French squire by the name of Jacques le Gris (played by Adam Driver) of raping her. Despite le Gris’s denials, Marguerite’s husband, Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon), a Norman knight, took up his wife’s cause and asked the courts to try le Gris. And so, in December of 1386, the courts declared that le Gris’s guilt or innocence would be decided not by a jury, but instead in a trial by combat, to be held in a public arena with a crowd that contained the public as well as King Charles VI. If de Carrouges won the battle, le Gris would be declared guilty (and he would also be dead). If le Gris won by killing le Carrouges, his wife, too, would be put to death for falsely accusing le Gris. And you thought the American judicial system was effed!

So Who Does Ben Affleck Play?

Affleck plays King Charles VI in the film. At the time of the duel, it should be noted, Charles would have been 19 years old. And he certainly makes the bad hair choices of a 19-year-old.

When Does The Last Duel Come Out?

Originally slated to come out in December, 2020, The Last Duel‘s premiere was pushed back, the film arrives in theaters October 15. As for when the movie will be on streaming? You’ll have to fight us to find out*.

*The actual answer is there are no currently announced plans to stream.