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Historical thriller

September 5 (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

September 5 (2024) movie poster

September 5 is a 2024 historical thriller directed by Tim Fehlbaum, starring Peter Sarsgaard as Roone Arledge, Benjamin Walker and Ben Chaplin. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $8.2 million worldwide. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
worldwide gross
$8.2M
award nominations
7
Echo Score
84
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September 5 (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Tim Fehlbaum
Genres
History , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is September 5 About?

The premise of September 5 without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

During the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, an American sports broadcasting team finds themselves unexpectedly covering a crisis when Israeli athletes are taken hostage. The film explores the events through their perspective, offering a unique look at the live broadcast that was watched by an estimated one billion people worldwide.

September 5 Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • terrorism
  • hostage
  • hostage crisis
  • munich 1972 summer olympics
  • olympic games
  • month in title
  • period drama
  • docudrama drama
  • based on real people
  • 20th century
  • 1970s
  • broadcast
+38 more
  • hostage situation
  • violence
  • unhappy ending
  • ends with text
  • archive footage
  • munich massacre
  • hostage killed
  • waking someone
  • broadcasting
  • dialogue driven
  • media
  • camera
  • translator
  • gunfire
  • gunshot
  • man wears eyeglasses
  • based on true story
  • year 1972
  • germany
  • munich germany
  • terrorist
  • reference to abc
  • period piece
  • tragedy drama
  • tragedy
  • sandwiches
  • glasses
  • police officer
  • reference to world war two
  • translating
  • watching tv
  • date in title
  • sports journalist
  • television broadcast
  • helicopter
  • olympic village
  • airport
  • tv news
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Cast & crew

September 5 Cast & Characters

Peter Sarsgaard leads the cast as Roone Arledge, with Benjamin Walker as Peter Jennings and Ben Chaplin as Marvin Bader. Directed by Tim Fehlbaum; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in September 5

· 4 more
Ratings

September 5 Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave September 5 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 84/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).

84 /100

September 5 Echo Score Breakdown

September 5 exhibits strong technical proficiency and sustained engagement, though its tight focus can feel limiting. The film’s editing and cinematography are repeatedly praised for creating urgency and blending archival footage with drama. Performances convey clear emotional stakes, even if some viewers desire deeper contextualization. Overall, its concentrated narrative and polished craft result in a compelling historical drama with enduring impact.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, September 5 excels with precise editing and deliberate production design. Observers highlight the brisk pacing achieved by the editor and the seamless blending of archival footage with dramatic sequences. The visual style is noted for its restrained color palette and coherent stage-like settings. Overall, the film presents a polished technical package.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, the ensemble cast delivers consistently clear performances. Critics and viewers describe the acting as confident, noting the chemistry among journalists and the emotional stakes during moments of crisis. Although some feel the characters lack deeper geopolitical context, most praise their ability to convey tension and human vulnerability. Together, the performances sustain audience engagement.

  • Story & Flow 80

    Regarding story and flow, September 5 maintains strong momentum through a focused, single-day framework. Multiple reviewers commend the nail-biting pacing and coherent structure, which underscores the urgency of live reporting. However, some express that the narrow lens omits broader context, leaving certain narrative nuances underexplored. Ultimately, the film offers a compelling but streamlined historical account.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    From a sensory standpoint, the film delivers a restrained yet effective audiovisual experience. The score underscores newsroom tension without overwhelming the dialogue, and the sound design realistically captures breaking news ambiance. Visually, the use of archival material melds seamlessly with staged sequences, establishing a cohesive aesthetic. Overall, the sensory elements reinforce narrative immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of rewatch value, September 5 offers a tense first viewing but varies in lasting appeal. Many viewers appreciate its concise runtime and immersive atmosphere, yet some note that replaying the film reveals limited new insights due to its narrow focus. Nonetheless, the film’s measured construction and dramatic highlights invite selective revisiting for its technical prowess.

Plot

September 5 Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in September 5 from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

During the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, the ABC Sports crew presides over what appears to be a spirited and relatively uneventful Games coverage. When Mark Spitz wins gold in the swimming event over a West German competitor, ABC Sports president Roone Arledge, Peter Sarsgaard, dramatizes the moment by cutting to the rival’s reaction and planning to introduce the subjects of the Holocaust and Nazi Germany during a live interview with the Jewish Spitz. When Marvin Bader, Ben Chaplin, head of operations, questions the decision, Arledge reminds him of the importance of emphasizing emotions over politics to make an effective broadcast.

Full summary

The whole story of September 5, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

September 5 Box Office

September 5 grossed $8.2 million worldwide. $2.5 million came from the US and Canada and $5.7 million (70%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$8.2M

US & Canada
$2.5M
International
$5.7M
US & Canada 30% Rest of the world 70%
Awards

September 5 Awards & Nominations

September 5 was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 7 nominations come from 6 ceremonies, the most at the Critics' Choice 2025.

7 nominations6 ceremonies

Show all 6 ceremonies
Videos

September 5 Trailers & Videos

17 videos: 1 trailer, 3 clips, 11 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 17 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip "This Is Our Story" Clip
  • Clip "Whose Story Is That" Clip
  • Clip Can We Broadcast a Hostage Situation? - Extended Clip
  • Featurette Peter Sarsgaard on How to Build Understanding in Violent Times | September 5 Q&A
Quiz

How Well Do You Know September 5?

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

Which American swimmer won a gold medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics featured in the film?

Details

September 5 Also Known As

30 alternative titles, including “September 5 - The Day Terror Went Live” and “ה-5 בספטמבר”.

Also known as
  • September 5 - The Day Terror Went Live
  • ה-5 בספטמבר
  • 5 Sentyabr
  • 9월 5일: 위험한 특종
  • September 5 - La diretta che cambiò la storia
  • 5 września
  • Septiembre 5
  • 5 בספטמבר
  • 5 septembre
  • Setembro 5
  • П’яте вересня
  • セプテンバー5
+18 more
  • Peti rujan
  • 5 сентября
  • 5. september
  • Mníchov 1972
  • 九月五日:人質危機
  • 5 Eylül
  • Peti september
  • 九月五日
  • 5 سپتامبر
  • Mnichov 1972
  • O Atentado de 5 de Setembro
  • Atacul din 5 septembrie
  • Πέντε Σεπτεμβρίου
  • Фаталният 5 септември
  • Szeptember 5
  • วันที่ 5 กันยายน
  • Rugsėjo penktoji
  • Ngày 5 Tháng 9

Seen September 5?

FAQ

September 5 FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of September 5, each answered in a sentence.

How long is September 5?

September 5 runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was September 5 released?

September 5 was released on December 13, 2024.

Who directed September 5?

September 5 was directed by Tim Fehlbaum.

More films by Tim Fehlbaum

Who is in the cast of September 5?

September 5 stars Peter Sarsgaard as Roone Arledge, Benjamin Walker as Peter Jennings and Ben Chaplin as Marvin Bader, among 8 credited actors.

How much did September 5 make at the box office?

September 5 grossed $8.2 million worldwide ($2.5 million domestic, $5.7 million international).

How is September 5 rated?

September 5 has 7.1/10 on IMDb and 76 on Metacritic.

Was September 5 nominated for any awards?

September 5 received 7 nominations across 6 ceremonies.

Does September 5 have a post-credit scene?

No. September 5 has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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