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The Last Journey

Play trailer Poster for The Last Journey 2024 1h 31m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 20 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Selected as Sweden's entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, "The Last Journey" is the most-watched documentary in Swedish history. When Lars Hammar, after 40 years as a beloved French teacher in Köping, retires, he envisions a delightful "third age" with travel, wine, and experiences together with his wife Tiina. But it doesn't turn out as he had hoped. Instead of indulging in life's pleasures, Lars becomes increasingly passive and lacking in willpower at home in his leather armchair, to the great frustration and despair of both Tiina and their son Filip. That's when Filip gets an idea -- to take his frail old father to his beloved France and let him revisit the places he has loved most in life. By retracing the same road trip the family used to take when Filip was a child and secretly orchestrating some of life's most delightful moments, he hopes to reignite Lars' zest for life. With the help of his best friend Fredrik, some hefty doses of optimism and creativity, and an old orange Renault 4, the adventure can begin!

Critics Reviews

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Mark Kermode Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube) What you might not expect is quite how much the journey is played like a drama. Jun 27, 2025 Full Review Kevin Maher The Times (UK) And speaking of weeping … sweet Lord! The film builds to the kind of devastating sequence that doesn’t just gently jerk some tears but grabs them and yanks them out relentlessly until you’ve collapsed in a heap on the floor, wailing... Rated: 4/5 Jun 24, 2025 Full Review Danny Leigh Financial Times The movie is a crowd-pleasing record of a father-son relationship in the shadow of old age, made with a large gloop of sentiment and the pranky comic energy of Saturday night TV. Rated: 3/5 Jun 24, 2025 Full Review Cara O'Doherty The Echo (Ireland) Tender, funny, and deeply moving - if you don’t cry watching this, you don’t have a heart. Rated: 4 Stars Jul 11, 2025 Full Review Kevin Harley Radio Times Lifted by a well-chosen soundtrack, The Last Journey unfolds as an affirmative celebration of a life well lived, complete with a final surprise that would surely make the stoniest of cynics weep. Rated: 4/5 Jul 2, 2025 Full Review Chris Wasser Sunday Independent (Ireland) Hilarious and heartbreaking, The Last Journey is supposed to be a documentary about an elderly man learning to love life again. But really, it’s a gorgeous non-­fiction comedy about a son finding out first-hand that time catches up with us all... Rated: 5/5 Jun 23, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steven P The Last Journey is an amazing documentary utilizing both humor and drama to illustrate the love of a son for his father. They set out on a journey of remembrance to motivate the dad to realize the great accomplishments and the wonderful experiences of his life. The son believes this journey will bring his dad out of a depressed state as he nears his final years. Though his physical abilities only improve marginally, the dad has an opportunity to again be reminded of the people he helped and motivated throughout his career. This film was shown at a University in July 2025. Hopefully, one of the streaming services will offer it soon. It is, without doubt, a must see! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/23/25 Full Review Damian O A real effort of love and making it happen. So many of us say we wish they had done this that the other, after the passing. Trite ‘if onlys’. However, it takes huge courage, conviction, and passion to re in act all the happy times with the ultimate reminiscent bucket list at the last moment of life. An inspirational demonstration of love, respect and devotion. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/21/25 Full Review T M Emotional, funny, thought provoking, and relatable - especially for us oldies! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/19/25 Full Review Marianna M This is such a beautiful, authentic and moving movie. It was such a privilege to be given the opportunity to observe the love that can exist between a father and son. I was also delighted to see a friendship between two males that was heartening. It made me laugh and cry. One of the most memorable movies I have seen in many years. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/04/25 Full Review Rox A Sometimes is very hard to accept the truth. Our parents are getting older however their love and feelings will never change. Very emotional movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/28/25 Full Review Renee M This is the most beautiful documentary. Watching the son finally accepting that his father is never going to be full of life again is heart wrenching. It is also incredibly difficult to watch when you’re in your 70s, as aging is confronting. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/18/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Last Journey

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Cast & Crew

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Filip Hammar

Director

Fredrik Wikingsson

Director

Lars Beckung

Producer

Petra Måhl

Producer

Erik Persson

Cinematographer

Erik Vallsten

Cinematographer

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The Last Journey

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Movie Info

Synopsis Selected as Sweden's entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, "The Last Journey" is the most-watched documentary in Swedish history. When Lars Hammar, after 40 years as a beloved French teacher in Köping, retires, he envisions a delightful "third age" with travel, wine, and experiences together with his wife Tiina. But it doesn't turn out as he had hoped. Instead of indulging in life's pleasures, Lars becomes increasingly passive and lacking in willpower at home in his leather armchair, to the great frustration and despair of both Tiina and their son Filip. That's when Filip gets an idea -- to take his frail old father to his beloved France and let him revisit the places he has loved most in life. By retracing the same road trip the family used to take when Filip was a child and secretly orchestrating some of life's most delightful moments, he hopes to reignite Lars' zest for life. With the help of his best friend Fredrik, some hefty doses of optimism and creativity, and an old orange Renault 4, the adventure can begin!
Director
Filip Hammar, Fredrik Wikingsson
Producer
Lars Beckung, Petra Måhl
Production Co
Nexiko
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
Swedish
Runtime
1h 31m