Freud’s Last Session

NZ release: 30 May 2024

Sexual references Rated on: 16 April 2024

Freud's Last Session

What’s it about?

Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, invites author C.S. Lewis to discuss religion and the existence of God.

The facts

  • Directed by Matt Brown
  • English
  • Runtime: 1 h 48m
  • Based on the stage play of the same name by Mark St. Germain

Why did it get this rating?

This film game was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.

Suicide

There are several direct and indirect references to suicide.

In one scene Anna is taken for questioning by the Gestapo. Freud discreetly hands her a small pill box, saying “if there is no hope”. Anna later handles the pill box while detained in a dark jail cell.

In another scene, Freud is seen handling the pill box with the same red suicide pill inside, after experiencing pain from his oral cancer.

In a debate between the main characters, Freud discusses the morality of suicide and his terminal illness.

Sex

The main characters discuss Freud’s psychoanalytical theory, including brief sexual references to masturbation.

Sexual fantasies are discussed in a therapy session.

Violence

A character has several flashbacks to WWI combat scenes and experiences a panic attack. We see explosions and dead soldiers. There is some blood spatter and shrapnel wounds.

In one scene, a character falls into a trench and lands next to the body of soldier who has been shot in the forehead.

Horror

Brief dream sequences feature moving statues and snakes. Freud dreams of being wheeled through a dark hospital warn with blood spilling from his mouth. A young version of himself pulls at his denture, causing it to bleed.

In a later scene, shrapnel is removed from the bloodied leg of a soldier.

Further information

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