‘Freud’s Last Session’ Film Review

A solid but unstructured reflection on humanity, loss and religion

Anthony Hopkins as Sigmund Freud and Matthew Goode as C. S. Lewis in Freud’s Last Session courtesy of Vertigo Releasing

Film: Freud’s Last Session. Year: 2023. Genre: Drama. Director: Matt Brown

‘Is there a God or not?’ has been on every philosopher’s mind ever since the beginning of civilization. Throughout the centuries, they all have developed their theory about a God’s (non) existence. The significant question is also the centre of Freud’s Last Session. In his latest feature, co-writer/director Matt Brown (The Man Who Knew Infinity, Ropewalk) images a crucial meeting between Sigmund Freud (Anthony Hopkins) and C. S. Lewis (Matthew Goode). The first is a headstrong atheist, while the latter is a firm believer in God. Those substantial differences in thinking certainly make for great conversation, but it sadly doesn’t entirely make for a great film. While Hopkins and Goode do an impeccable job of portraying two of the greatest minds out there, the abundance of side stories and extra characters make this film feel overstuffed and unstructured.

Set in Poland, right before World War II’s outbreak, Freud and Lewis decide to discuss the existence of God at Freud’s home. The entire film is built around that on-edge dialogue between the two titans. While there has never been an official confirmation that both men met up in real life, a note was…