Film: Freud’s Last Session [2023] – Anthony Hopkins, Matthew Goode

A fiction, Freud’s Last Session isn’t history, but it certainly works as entertainment, remarkably well acted by two great actors.

Starring Anthony Hopkins as Freud and Matthew Goode as C. S. Lewis, director Matthew Brown has made a terrific-looking film, with strong period detail and a witty script, anchored by two riveting performances. Hopkins and Goode give excellent performances, but there’s a faintly pointless and schematic air to the proceedings.

Thing us, I wasn’t sure to expect. Did I want a very deep and profound film? Or did I want a documentary style film that tells us the last days of Freud? In any case, what I watched is a film that tries to mix both. Not a terribly profound movie, perhaps, but robustly performed and an interesting reminder of the dusty old debates on the point of being swept away by the great horror of the second world war.

Yes, like much of Freud’s legacy, this film presents food for thought that isn’t always as fascinating or easy to digest. And yes, there’s a lot of talk about parents influence on the psyche, but it’s all simplified for the general audience.

Should You Watch It?

A psychological movie about one of the most influential figures in psychoanalysis. Definitely enjoyed it, but not for everyone.

Where Can I Watch It?

You can stream Freud’s Last Session Crave in Canada.