16 Delayed 2021 Movies That Were Actually Worth Waiting For

A widely publicized box office bomb, The Last Duel offers definitive proof that commercial success doesn't indicate quality, for it is an outstanding historical drama and one of the greatest films of the year, as well as of Sir Ridley Scott's career.

The Last Duel is unbelievably good. The performances are outstanding; the ever-magnificent Jodie Comer is the star of the show, but she has brilliant support from Matt Damon (doing another one of his best performances in the same year as Stillwater), Adam Driver and Harriet Walter, while Ben Affleck and Alex Lawther are similarly terrific in smaller roles.

Furthermore, this has astonishing production values and masterful direction from Ridley Scott; he's a very talented director who, unfortunately, seems to choose his films by dartboard, so The Last Duel is a lovely reminder of just what he's capable of when he chooses a screenplay befitting of his talents.

And what a screenplay The Last Duel is. As a tremendous, Rashomon-style examination of a crime, a harrowing yet sensitive meditation on sexual violence and a shattering, suspenseful and hauntingly powerful character-driven drama in general, The Last Duel is one of the best-written movies of the year. And the titular duel is absolutely incredible too.

It's a damn shame this movie flopped. After all, such an adult and serious historical drama is rarely made anymore and it so deserves to be widely seen.

So, what are you waiting for? See it.