Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Drama horror film

Brooklyn 45 (2023): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Brooklyn 45 (2023) movie poster

Brooklyn 45 is a 2023 drama horror film directed by Ted Geoghegan, starring Larry Fessenden as Lt. Col. Clive Hockstatter, Lucy Carapetyan and Anne Ramsay. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Independent Film at the Saturn Awards 2024. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
award nomination
1
Echo Score
73
Loading streaming availability…
Brooklyn 45 (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Ted Geoghegan
Genres
Drama , History , Horror
Original language
English
Studio
Shudder
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Brooklyn 45 About?

The premise of Brooklyn 45 without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Five lifelong friends gather at a Brooklyn brownstone for a reunion, intending to spend an evening of cocktails and reminiscing. However, their plans take a dark turn when a séance unleashes supernatural forces linked to their shared, troubled history. As the night progresses, they find themselves trapped and confronted by the ghosts of their past, forcing them to fight for survival against a terrifying reality and face a final, harrowing test.

Brooklyn 45 Themes & Keywords

· 40 tags
  • seance
  • world war two
  • ghost
  • veteran
  • reunion
  • suicide
  • brooklyn new york city
  • post war
  • violence
  • chamber drama
  • real time
  • all in one room
+28 more
  • alcoholism
  • depression
  • military
  • xenophobic
  • xenophobia
  • reference to nazism
  • polarisation
  • infanticide
  • collateral damage
  • following orders
  • american patriot
  • pride
  • torture
  • interrogation
  • nazi spy
  • back from the dead
  • fervor
  • ameican fervor
  • patriotic fervor
  • post world war two
  • guilty conscience
  • atonement
  • revelation
  • pearl harbor hawaii
  • bound and gagged
  • woman bound and gagged
  • locked in a closet
  • soldier
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Brooklyn 45 Cast & Characters

Larry Fessenden leads the cast as Lt. Col. Clive Hockstatter, with Lucy Carapetyan as Susan Hockstatter and Anne Ramsay as Marla Sheridan. Directed by Ted Geoghegan; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Brooklyn 45

· 3 more
From the director

More from Ted Geoghegan

More films directed by Ted Geoghegan, best-rated first: Mohawk and We Are Still Here.

Full filmography
Ratings

Brooklyn 45 Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Brooklyn 45 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in story & flow (62).

73 /100

Brooklyn 45 Echo Score Breakdown

Brooklyn 45 delivers a distinctive period horror experience that balances atmospheric tension with thoughtful character moments. The production design and visual tone are commendable, while the performances generally sustain emotional weight despite occasional theatrical stiffness. Narrative pacing falters at times, leading to a repetitive feel, yet the film's originality and uneasy ambience keep it engaging. Overall, the movie offers a solid, if uneven, entry for fans of restrained supernatural thrillers.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    The film excels in its period craftsmanship, featuring detailed set pieces and an understated color palette that evoke post‑war Brooklyn. Direction maintains a measured pace, allowing the cramped setting to enhance claustrophobia. Editing is competent, though limited locations occasionally expose theatrical staging. Production design and cinematography together create an atmospheric backdrop that supports the horror premise effectively.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    Performances anchor the narrative, with the veteran cast delivering nuanced portrayals of trauma and grief. Chemistry among the ensemble strengthens the emotional stakes, and several actors convey depth despite constrained dialogue. While some moments feel overtly theatrical, the overall character work remains convincing and grounds the supernatural elements in human experience.

  • Story & Flow 62

    The plot intertwines war‑time trauma with a séance framework, offering an original premise that is occasionally hampered by repetitive pacing. The story’s structure feels theatrical, leading to stretches that feel stagnant. Nevertheless, the thematic exploration of grief and unfinished business provides a compelling thread, even if the resolution feels unfulfilling.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Atmospheric sound design and a restrained score amplify tension, while the visual style employs shadow and muted lighting to reinforce dread. The sensory palette enhances the claustrophobic setting, though occasional lighting inconsistencies detract slightly. Overall, the sensory elements cohere to produce an unsettling tonal consistency.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    The film’s unique blend of historical context and supernatural suspense offers modest rewatch appeal, especially for viewers drawn to mood‑driven horror. While the core concept remains intriguing, pacing issues and a polarizing ending limit its repeat value. Nonetheless, strong performances and atmospheric craft encourage a second viewing for genre enthusiasts.

Plot

Brooklyn 45 Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Brooklyn 45 from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

On the night of December 27, 1945, a group of military veterans and lifelong friends gather at the home of their esteemed commander, Clive “Hock” Hockstatter (Larry Fessenden), in Park Slope, New York, to enjoy some cocktails. This reunion includes Marla Sheridan (Anne Ramsay), her husband Bob (Ron E. Rains), as well as Archibald “Archie” Stanton (Jeremy S. Holm) and Paul DiFranco (Ezra Buzzington).

Full summary

The whole story of Brooklyn 45, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Awards

Brooklyn 45 Awards & Nominations

Brooklyn 45 earned 1 award nomination, including Best Independent Film at the Saturn Awards 2024.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Brooklyn 45 Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Trailer
  • Clip SXSW Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Brooklyn 45?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the date on which the events of the film take place?

Details

Brooklyn 45 Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “布鲁克林45” and “Бруклин 45”.

Also known as
  • 布鲁克林45
  • Бруклин 45
  • Бруклін 45
  • Brooklyn 1945

Seen Brooklyn 45?

FAQ

Brooklyn 45 FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Brooklyn 45, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Brooklyn 45?

Brooklyn 45 runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was Brooklyn 45 released?

Brooklyn 45 was released on June 9, 2023.

Who directed Brooklyn 45?

Brooklyn 45 was directed by Ted Geoghegan.

More films by Ted Geoghegan

Who is in the cast of Brooklyn 45?

Brooklyn 45 stars Larry Fessenden as Lt. Col. Clive Hockstatter, Lucy Carapetyan as Susan Hockstatter and Anne Ramsay as Marla Sheridan, among 7 credited actors.

How is Brooklyn 45 rated?

Brooklyn 45 has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Was Brooklyn 45 nominated for any awards?

Brooklyn 45 received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Brooklyn 45 have a post-credit scene?

No. Brooklyn 45 has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app