Freud’s Last Session Movie Review | Safe for Kids?

Is Freud’s Last Session safe for kids? Is Freud’s Last Session OK for kids? Read the Freud’s Last Session Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new 2024 Sony Pictures Classics film, starring Anthony Hopkins and Matthew Goode. No spoilers! #FreudsLastSession May contain commissioned links.

Freud’s Last Session Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide to Sony Pictures Classics’ Film Starring Anthony Hopkins

Therapy is in session. And Anthony Hopkins is about to psychoanalyze all of humankind.

At 86-years of age, Anthony Hopkins’ legend proceeds him in this historical drama, based on the true story and lives of Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis. But is he showing off a great mind, or just his age?

In this Freud’s Last Session Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full PG-13 age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new 2024 Freud’s Last Session parents guide to the new Sony Pictures Classics film. A no-spoiler parent review of Anthony Hopkins’ latest live action historical drama, is it finally time for Anthony Hopkins to hang up his hat?

The Visuals

Visually, this historical drama takes place during 1939, on the eve of World War II. Depicting visuals of that time, the landscapes, backdrops, and costuming all reflect the era. There is some minor use of CGI and animation effects – but nothing fancy or noteworthy. Purely for storytelling. However, those with photosensitivity and seizures, please be aware of the scenes below.

Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, Freud’s Last Session surprisingly has multiple scenes for concern. There are two scenes that depict bright flashing/strobing lights that may be triggering for some.

The Story

This 2024 Sony Pictures Classics historical drama film is directed by Matthew Brown (“The Man Who Knew Infinity“). Freud’s Last Session stars Anthony Hopkins (“The Silence of the Lambs“) as Sigmund Freud and Matthew Goode (“Leap Year“) as C.S. Lewis, along with Liv Lisa Fries (“Babylon Berlin“) as Anna Freud and Jodi Balfour (“Ted Lasso“) as Dorothy Burlingham.

Based on true events and lives of Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis, the story opens on the eve of World War II, as C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud come together for one conversation about the past and present of two of the greatest minds of the 20th century. Using historical imagery, flashback scenes, and heavy dialogue, we eavesdrop on a heavy-topic laden discussion – all as the present world changes around them.

I’m not going to lie, this is a slow build. Relying heavily on Anthony Hopkins fans and historical drama lovers, this film barely scratches the entertainment interest of anyone else. Without great action sequences or humor to break up the dialogue monotony, you feel the length of every word. Some German subtitles and closed captioning is present sporadically throughout the film.

And if you’re thinking that there’s going to be some surprise ending or some unexpected twist – yeah, there’s none of that. But that’s not to say that this psychoanalytic film is a hard pass.

Freud’s Last Session PG-13 Age Rating Explained

Is Freud’s Last Session safe for kids? An Anthony Hopkins film that’s rated PG-13? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how ratings have shifted over the years with a G-rating no longer an option.

PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings (Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night, I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-14 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.

Why is Freud’s Last Session rated PG-13? In this Freud’s Last Session Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, this 2024 Sony Classics film is rated PG-13 for “thematic material, sexual material, some bloody/violent images, smoking.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Freud’s Last Session is kid friendly. Is Freud’s Last Session too adult for kids? Is Freud’s Last Session too intense for kids? Let’s breakdown that PG-13 age rating in this Freud’s Last Session parents guide.

Violence/Suspense. There are multiple depictions of early 1900’s war scenes, including explosions, guns, death of soldiers, children and adults in gas masks, pain, and moderate amount of blood. Nazi Germany characters (including Hitler), scenes, and symbolism present – including xenophobia towards Jewish people. Discussions of suicide and assisted suicide. Removal of metal implant from body may be disturbing to watch.

Adult Themes. Multiple topic discussions about religion, the presence of God, war, death, cancer, psychology, sexuality, suicide and assisted suicide. Scenes depicting assisted suicide. Christian and Catholic symbolism, Jewish symbolism, atheism,

Drug and alcohol use is prevalent throughout. Multiple scenes depicting drinking whisky. One bar scene with open bottles of beer. Multiple scenes of characters smoking of cigarettes, cigar and pipe. Drug ingestion of liquid morphine, sometimes mixed with whisky.

Sexual innuendo includes scene of two woman naked and holding each other in bed (nothing shown), scene of two people used as imagery for statues: one naked woman has a man’s arm covering her breasts (again, nothing seen), multiple discussions about sexuality including “homosexuality,” “lesbianism,” “perversion,” “sex,” “sexual pleasure,” and discussion of infants sucking a mom’s “breast.” Scene of two women holding hands and one woman touching her private area over the top of her clothes.

Language. Undisclosed language, I see. As seems to be the trend of recent years, I’m saddened to see yet another PG-13 rated film without disclosing foul language in the MPAA rating (just another reminder for myself to keep doing what I’m doing). For 2024 Freud’s Last Session, foul language and swear words in this movie include 2 “b@stard,” 1 “d@mn,” 1 “d@mmit,” 1 “H-E-double-hockey-sticks” (used on correct context.”

Milder bad language phrases and insults include “bloody,” “imbecile,” “hate,” “g-d,” “oh g-d,” and “s@tan.”

Freud’s Last Session Age Rating for Kids

The Overall

A new film, but a nostalgic appeal. A nod to a movie legend, this historical drama pays homage to more than one great mind. But the dry material doesn’t have enough substance to relate to a modern age.

However, unless your child has a love for Anthony Hopkins movies or history, I doubt this movie will appeal to young kids. With heavy dialogue, slow storytelling, and lack of humor/action, there’s very little for kids to grasp onto for entertainment.

That’s not to say that Freud’s Last Session lacks appeal. For those who love “based on a true story” type films, this slower paced historical drama fits right in with the newly released The Boys in the Boat film. And Anthony Hopkins’ still has got it, even at a young 86-years of age. A sharp mind, strong talent, and a commanding presence – I am impressed with his undying passion for acting.

A more mature adult film and an appearance from a familiar film legend, Freud’s Last Session is a reminder of the fleetingness of time – and how fast generations can pass us by. No ink blot test needed. But time can also be a cruel reminder that our life on this earth is limited. Anthony Hopkins is showing his 86-years in this film. Talent wasted? No, just a delicate reminder that time stops for no one, not even death.

But now I’m craving fava beans and Chianti.

Follow Freud’s Last Session on social media:

• Website: https://www.sonyclassics.com/film/freudslastsession/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreudsLastSession/
• Twitter (“X”): https://twitter.com/sonyclassics/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonyclassics/
• #FreudsLastSession

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Freud’s Last Session, the all-new Sony Classics film starring Anthony Hopkins is in session at select U.S.A. theaters starting Friday, December 19, 2024. Will your family be watching?

I was invited to screen the new 2024 Sony Classics film in exchange for this Freud’s Last Session Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!