September 5 (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Director
- Tim Fehlbaum
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- BerghausWöbke Filmproduktion
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
- Director Tim Fehlbaum
-
Peter Sarsgaard as Roone Arledge -
Benjamin Walker as Peter Jennings -
Ben Chaplin as Marvin Bader -
Leonie Benesch as Marianne Gebhardt
Also Starring in September 5
· 4 more- John Magaro Geoffrey Mason
- Corey Johnson Hank Hanson
- Daniel Betts Director Swim Race
- Solomon Mousley Roone's Assistant
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).
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.
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IMDb 7.1 /10
36913 votes
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 76 Metascore
User score 6.5
See on Metacritic
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$8.2M
- US & Canada
- $2.5M
- International
- $5.7M
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
-
Critics' Choice 2025 2 nominations- Nominated Best Editing
- Nominated Best Original Screenplay
-
PGA Awards 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures
-
Artios Awards 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Studio or Independent – Drama
-
Spirit Awards 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Best Cinematography
Show all 6 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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Golden Globes 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Drama
-
Oscars 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Writing (Original Screenplay)
September 5 Trailers & Videos
17 videos: 1 trailer, 3 clips, 11 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.
- 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
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
- 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
Which American swimmer won a gold medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics featured in the film?
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 Show fewer
- 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?
Movies Like September 5
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Munich, 21 Hours at Munich and September Tapes.
Articles About September 5
4 articles about September 5. The latest: “The Ultimate 2025 Oscars Nominations Guide: Surprises, Snubs, and Must-Know Insights”.
-
Culture -
Culture2025 Oscars Nominations: Musicals, Horror, and Hollywood’s Biggest Surprises
The 2025 Oscar nominations promise a thrilling contest. Here’s a closer look at this year’s biggest contenders, snubs, and surprises. 6 min read -
Golden Globes2025 Golden Globe Nominations: Surprises, Snubs, and the Next Big Oscar Clues
A deep dive into the surprises, snubs, and game-changing nominations for the 2025 Golden Globes. Explore which films and series stunned critics, which stars got snubbed, and how these nominations may shape the Oscars race. 6 min read
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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