Freud's Last Session 2023

As the Second World War rages on, two intellectual giants from different worlds converge in a fictional meeting that will forever alter the trajectory of their thoughts and emotions. C.S. Lewis, affectionately known as “Jack”, finds himself face-to-face with Sigmund Freud, whose disdain for Lewis’ recent conversion to Christianity is palpable. The air is thick with tension as they engage in a heated debate about the existence of God, a topic that has been simmering beneath the surface since Freud’s rejection by Lewis.

As their conversation meanders through the labyrinthine corridors of their minds, they delve into the complexities of trauma, friendship, and the intricacies of human relationships. Lewis’ experiences as a World War I combat veteran, still fresh in his mind, serve as a poignant reminder of the devastating effects of war on the human psyche. The Inklings, a group of esteemed writers that includes J.R.R. Tolkien, are also brought into the conversation, their shared love of literature and camaraderie providing a much-needed respite from the intellectual sparring match unfolding before them.

Meanwhile, Freud’s personal relationships take center stage as he navigates his complicated dynamics with his daughter Anna, whose crippling dependence on him is both heartbreaking and infuriating. However, it is Anna who ultimately brings a sense of liberation to their relationship by introducing her lesbian lover, Dorothy Burlingham, into the fold.

Tragedy strikes when Freud succumbs to the intense pain of his oral cancer, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be intertwined with the world of psychology. In the aftermath of his passing, Lewis goes on to become a celebrated author of Christian literature, drawing inspiration from the children he later takes in as evacuees during the war and incorporating them into his beloved Narnia series.

As for Anna and Dorothy, their love continues to flourish as they build a life together that will span decades. Anna’s contributions to the field of child psychology earn her recognition as a pioneering figure in the field, while Freud’s mysterious meeting with an unidentified Oxford don in his final days serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of human connection and the power of intellectual curiosity.

Despite the passage of time, the echoes of this fictional meeting continue to reverberate through the annals of history, a testament to the enduring power of ideas and the indelible mark that two remarkable individuals left on the world.