The Last Journey

Despite its modest, earthy premise – a father and son’s road trip to revisit a cherished childhood summer retreat – The Last Journey, directed by Filip Hammar and Fredrik Wikingsson, has become the most-watched documentary in Swedish history and garnered widespread acclaim internationally. 

The Last Journey’s breakout star is Hammar’s father, Lars, a beloved French teacher from Köping, whose retirement turns out to be less of a golden age and more a gradual descent into depression, despite the unwavering support of his devoted wife and son. Hammar’s bold decision to embark on a road trip with his father, retracing their family’s long-time holiday destination in the south of France, becomes the heart of the story. Along the way, Hammar goes to great lengths to recreate forgotten moments for his father, enlisting the support of Wikingsson, a group of professional actors, and even his father’s former students. The road trip, undertaken in a battered, bright orange Renault 4, is both a visual and emotional spectacle. From the sun-drenched Mediterranean shores to the lively charm of small-town markets, the film vividly recreates the place once so beloved by Lars. Yet, the true power of the documentary lies not in the sweeping landscapes, but in the subtle, often understated moments between father and son. From Lars’ cautious steps with his mobility walker to Hammar’s quiet resolve to reignite his father’s joie de vivre, every scene resonates with authenticity. The gentle humour of Filip and the antics of his best friend and filmmaking partner bring a lightness to the film, even as the narrative turns to darker themes of loss, regret, and the inevitable passage of time. 

In retrospect, Lars’s transformation from the vibrant, inspiring educator celebrated in a heartfelt video tribute by his students to the passive and withdrawn man seen throughout the feature is profoundly tragic, raising difficult questions about the mental care extended to the elderly alongside their physical care. The frustration and helplessness felt by his wife, Tiina, and son, Filip, are portrayed with an honesty that is both raw and disarming. As the journey draws to a close, these themes weave seamlessly with tender reflections on the past, creating a profound emotional resonance. Hammar and his father’s journey, like the documentary itself, comes full circle as they return to his parents’ house in Sweden, where it all began. This poignant and comfortingly unspectacular conclusion offers a deeply moving meditation on the enduring strength of family bonds and the bittersweet beauty of rediscovery amid the fleeting nature of time.

Christina Yang

The Last Journey is released nationwide on 21^st March 2025.

Watch the trailer for The Last Journey here: