The Last Duel – 9.2./10

Jadd J.A.D.D. Jadd

This is one of the best movies of the year and one of my favourite movies of the year. Ridley Scott reminds us why he’s one of the best filmmakers of our time. His unique vision, telling compelling stories, action sequences, building suspense and getting actors to show what they're made of. Harry Gregson-Williams score is one of his best. It’s calm, cold, stirring and riveting. Stunning production and costumes. The CGI blends into the practical effects superbly. The cinematography is atmospheric and mesmerizing it pulls you into the world we’re in. This movie has an old fashion cinematic style that has been missing in movies lately. The screenplay written by Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Nicole Holofcener is stellar and sharp.

Every performance in this is layered and very unpredictable, especially with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in roles that you wouldn’t expect to see them in. Jodie Comer gives a harrowing and fearless performance. Adam Driver is outstanding, he brings so much malice and delusional to a character that should be one-note. The battle sequences are intense and visceral but when it comes to the duel itself. It is one of the most brutal and heart-pounding sword fights I’ve seen. There are so many steaks in this movie that has you on edge the whole time. This movie address a lot of the issues we have today when it comes to women in these sensitive situations that need to be addressed. The movie was brilliantly told from three different perspectives and in each one you have a more in-depth look into the characters and the decisions that happened to them.

The first act moved so quick that made the pacing a little tough. Things would happen in the scene and then go away the next. But all of that changes in the second act and everything falls into place. You got to be patient with it because I promise that will fall into play and become very important.