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Freud's Last Session (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Freud's Last Session (2023) movie poster

Freud's Last Session is a 2023 drama directed by Matt Brown, starring Anthony Hopkins as Sigmund Freud, Liv Lisa Fries and Tarek Bishara. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $4.2 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. Critics gave it 43% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
43%
worldwide gross
$4.2M
Echo Score
40
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Freud's Last Session (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 48m (108 min)
Director
Matt Brown
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$10M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Freud's Last Session About?

The premise of Freud's Last Session without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

With war approaching, Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis find themselves in a compelling intellectual exchange concerning the existence of God. The drama explores their lives and beliefs, interweaving past and present with surreal elements, as they debate within Freud's study. The film is a thought-provoking examination of faith and reason.

Freud's Last Session Themes & Keywords

· 7 tags
  • psychology
  • philosophy
  • existentialism
  • sigmund freud character
  • c.s. lewis character
  • psychological drama
  • period drama
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Cast & crew

Freud's Last Session Cast & Characters

Anthony Hopkins leads the cast as Sigmund Freud, with Liv Lisa Fries as Anna Freud and Tarek Bishara as Jacob Freud. Directed by Matt Brown; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Matt Brown

One more film directed by Matt Brown: The Man Who Knew Infinity.

Full filmography
Ratings

Freud's Last Session Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Freud's Last Session 43% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 40/100, strongest in character & emotion (65) and weakest in sensory experience (30).

40 /100

Freud's Last Session Echo Score Breakdown

Freud’s Last Session is anchored by compelling lead performances but hampered by structural and thematic unevenness. The central dialogue occasionally sparks with intellectual energy, yet frequent flashbacks and pacing lapses disrupt narrative coherence. Visually, the film remains flat and reliant on static compositions that undercut dramatic tension. Despite moments of genuine insight, the overall execution falls short of delivering a fully engaging exploration of its weighty subject matter.

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

  • Art & Craft 30

    Art & Craft is one of the film’s weakest areas. Direction and cinematography often feel lifeless, with flashback sequences lacking clear visual purpose. Production design convincingly recreates Freud’s office, but editing choices disrupt narrative cohesion. The lack of dynamic camera movement and uneven visual pacing detract from the film’s intended gravitas. Overall, the film’s craft does not fully support its lofty subject matter.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    In terms of character and emotion, the film relies heavily on the compelling presence of its lead actors. Both performances are marked by nuanced deliveries and measured restraint in moments of tension. However, the dialogue often fails to elicit sustained emotional engagement, resulting in scenes that flicker with intensity but lack consistent depth. Ultimately, the portrayals remain the film’s most persuasive component.

  • Story & Flow 40

    When it comes to story and flow, the narrative often feels disjointed. Flashback sequences interrupt the central dialogue without clear narrative necessity, leading to uneven pacing. The conversion between philosophical debates lacks the probing depth needed to sustain engagement, and digressions frequently undercut thematic cohesion. The result is a structure that struggles to maintain consistent momentum or deliver a fully coherent arc.

  • Sensory Experience 30

    In the sensory experience, the film presents a subdued visual style that often underwhelms. Cinematography is functional but rarely lingers on atmospheric detail, and the soundtrack provides minimal emotional lift. Sound design remains serviceable, yet it seldom enhances the interior setting. Overall, the sensory elements fail to elevate the chamber drama into a more immersive viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Regarding rewatch value, the film offers limited incentive for repeated viewings. While the central performances provide occasional insight on subsequent watches, the structural inconsistencies and sparse visual variety diminish its lasting appeal. The depth of the philosophical exchanges may reward a second look, but the uneven editing and episodic flashbacks reduce the likelihood of sustained reengagement.

Plot

Freud's Last Session Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Freud's Last Session from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As the Second World War ravages through Europe, two towering intellects from vastly different spheres encounter each other in a fictional yet consequential dialogue that sets in motion a puzzling evolution of their respective beliefs and sentiments. C.S. Lewis, often affectionately referred to as “Jack,” stands before Sigmund Freud, whose palpable disdain for Lewis’ recent conversion to Christianity creates a charged atmosphere. The tension is thick as they engage in a fierce discourse concerning the existence of God, which has become an underlying theme ever since Freud found himself rejected by Lewis.

Full summary

The whole story of Freud's Last Session, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Freud's Last Session Box Office & Budget

Freud's Last Session grossed $4.2 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, 42% of what it cost. $906,283 came from the US and Canada and $3.3 million (78%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.2M

42% of its budget back

US & Canada
$906.3K
International
$3.3M
Budget
$10M
US & Canada 22% Rest of the world 78%
Videos

Freud's Last Session Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 4 clips, 1 featurette and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 9 videos
Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Teaser TV Spot
  • Clip "A New World" Official Clip
  • Clip "Indication of Insanity" Official Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Freud's Last Session?

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 major world event serves as the backdrop for the film?

Details

Freud's Last Session Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “La última sesión de Freud” and “Последний сеанс Фрейда”.

Also known as
  • La última sesión de Freud
  • Последний сеанс Фрейда
  • Ostatnia sesja Freuda
  • Freud, la dernière confession
  • По Фрейду
  • 弗洛伊德的最后一会
  • Freud vs. Lewis: Poslední sezení
  • Останній сеанс Фрейда
  • Η Τελευταία Συνεδρία του Φρόιντ
  • 佛洛伊德的最後一堂課
  • A Última Sessão de Freud
  • Последната сесия на Фройд
+11 more
  • Freud'un Son Seansı
  • Freudova zadnja seansa
  • Freud - L'ultima analisi
  • Freud: Az utolsó pszichoanalízis
  • הטיפול האחרון של פרויד
  • วาระชีวิต ซิกมันด์ ฟรอยด์
  • 프로이트의 라스트 세션
  • Ultima ședință a lui Freud
  • Paskutinė Froido sesija
  • Freud - Jenseits des Glaubens
  • Freida pēdējā sesija

Seen Freud's Last Session?

FAQ

Freud's Last Session FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Freud's Last Session, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Freud's Last Session?

Freud's Last Session runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).

When was Freud's Last Session released?

Freud's Last Session was released on December 22, 2023.

Who directed Freud's Last Session?

Freud's Last Session was directed by Matt Brown.

More films by Matt Brown

Who is in the cast of Freud's Last Session?

Freud's Last Session stars Anthony Hopkins as Sigmund Freud, Liv Lisa Fries as Anna Freud and Tarek Bishara as Jacob Freud, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Freud's Last Session make at the box office?

Freud's Last Session grossed $4.2 million worldwide ($906,283 domestic, $3.3 million international) on a budget of $10 million.

How is Freud's Last Session rated?

Freud's Last Session has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 43% on Rotten Tomatoes, 48 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

Does Freud's Last Session have a post-credit scene?

No. Freud's Last Session has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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