Freud's Last Session (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 48m (108 min)
- Director
- Matt Brown
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- 14 Sunset
- Budget
- $10M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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
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.
- Director Matt Brown
-
Anthony Hopkins as Sigmund Freud -
Liv Lisa Fries as Anna Freud - Tarek Bishara as Jacob Freud
- Nina Kolomiitseva as Sophie Freud
Also Starring in Freud's Last Session
· 16 more- Pádraic Delaney Warren Lewis
- Stephen Campbell Moore J.R.R. Tolkien
- Jodi Balfour Dorothy Burlingham
- Matthew Goode C. S. Lewis
- Orla Brady Janie Moore
- David Shields Weldon
- Emmet Kirwan Father Brennan
- Anna Amalie Blomeyer Ilsa
- Rhys Mannion C. S. Lewis (Age 19)
- Peter Warnock Dr. Max Schur
- Esther Ayo James
- Lukas Heyer Sweeney
- Arndt Schwering-Sohnrey
- Annette O'Shea
- Harry Cornell
- Cara Christie
More from Matt Brown
One more film directed by Matt Brown: The Man Who Knew Infinity.
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).
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.
-
IMDb 6.1 /10
8099 votes
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 43% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 66%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 48 Metascore
User score 5.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 66% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.9 /5
19573 ratings
See on Letterboxd
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$4.2M
42% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $906.3K
- International
- $3.3M
- Budget
- $10M
Freud's Last Session Trailers & Videos
9 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 4 clips, 1 featurette and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Teaser TV Spot
- Clip "A New World" Official Clip
- Clip "Indication of Insanity" Official Clip
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What major world event serves as the backdrop for the film?
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 Show fewer
- 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?
Movies Like Freud's Last Session
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Freud: The Secret Passion, Sigmund Freud: Analysis of a Mind and Freud.
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.
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
