Brooklyn 45

Brooklyn 45

Year: 2023

Runtime: 92 min

Language: English

Director: Ted Geoghegan

DramaHistoryHorror

Five lifelong friends gather at a Brooklyn brownstone for a reunion, intending to spend an evening of cocktails and reminiscing. However, their plans take a dark turn when a séance unleashes supernatural forces linked to their shared, troubled history. As the night progresses, they find themselves trapped and confronted by the ghosts of their past, forcing them to fight for survival against a terrifying reality and face a final, harrowing test.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Brooklyn 45 (2023) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Brooklyn 45 (2023), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

On the night of December 27, 1945, a group of military veterans and lifelong friends gather at the home of their esteemed commander, Clive “Hock” Hockstatter (Larry Fessenden), in Park Slope, New York, to enjoy some cocktails. This reunion includes Marla Sheridan (Anne Ramsay), her husband Bob (Ron E. Rains), as well as Archibald “Archie” Stanton (Jeremy S. Holm) and Paul DiFranco (Ezra Buzzington).

While the friends reminisce, Hock is burdened by the recent suicide of his mentally ill wife, Susan (Lucy Carapetyan), who tragically took her life after no one believed her claims that their German neighbor, Hildegard (Kristina Klebe), was spying for Hitler. In a moment of grief, Hock reveals his fading belief in organized religion, resorting to spiritualism for solace. He persuades his friends to partake in an unexpected séance in a desperate hope to reach out to Susan.

The séance reveals itself to be a shocking success, with candles igniting, a closet door banging, and Susan’s ectoplasmic arm emerging as the music of Louis Jordan blasts from the radio. In a moment of desperation, Hock breaks the circle and reaches out, causing Susan’s spirit to recede. Overwhelmed by the occurrence and grappling with the reality of an afterlife, Hock shockingly pulls out a pistol and takes his own life.

Amidst the chaos, the closet bursts open, revealing Hildegard, bound and gagged. As she breaks free, the friends question her identity and motives, resulting in tension and suspicion amongst the group. Archie reveals he’s committed a war crime, while Marla showcases an unexpected brutality during her interrogation of Hildegard, much to Bob’s astonishment.

Realizing they are trapped in the room by mystical forces, Marla believes the only escape is to finish the séance. As Hock’s spirit possesses his lifeless body, he demands that the group kill Hildegard to secure their freedom. The situation escalates when Susan’s ghost appears, accusing Hildegard of her murder. The revelations send Archie into a panic, forcing him to confront his horrific past.

In a frenzy, Hock’s possessed body becomes increasingly violent, leading to a series of betrayals and tragic events. Bob, now wielding the gun, shoots at Paul in self-defense before turning the weapon on Hildegard, killing her amid the turmoil. Bob, feeling compelled to act for survival’s sake, drops the gun, shaken by the horrors that unfolded.

Upon fulfilling Hock’s malevolent demand, the parlor doors finally swing open. Bob, Marla, and Archie exit, but not without the weight of their shared trauma. Archie, grappling with his own guilt, decides to turn himself in. As Bob and Marla sit in their car, the emotional toll of the night engulfs them, ending with them overwhelmed in silence and tears, processing the grim events they just endured.

Last Updated: October 25, 2024 at 11:38

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Brooklyn 45?

Still wondering what the ending of Brooklyn 45 (2023) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

In the climax of Brooklyn 45, the spirits of Susan and Clive become relentless in preventing the characters from leaving the haunted room, especially if Hildegard remains alive. Despite various attempts, Paul is the first to raise his gun to shoot Hildegard, driven by fear and xenophobia, but Bob intervenes, shooting and killing Paul instead. Knowing that the ghosts are still exerting their power and that the only way to escape is to free themselves from the spirits’ grip, Bob also kills Hildegard. His actions seem to be motivated by a desperate desire to escape the torment and the haunted cycle of their sins. After this violent act, Marla, Bob, and Archie manage to leave the house, but the damage is profound—Marla is devastated by Bob’s brutality, and Archie contemplates turning himself in for war crimes. The ending underscores how the characters, haunted by their past sins committed during the war—such as Clive’s war crime of bombing a kindergarten, Archie’s killing of children, and Hildegard’s possible involvement in espionage—are unable to escape their guilt. The spirits serve as manifestations of their collective guilt and unresolved trauma, and in their attempt to purge the ghosts, they ultimately destroy their moral selves, illustrating that these ghosts of the past are impossible to escape from without confronting and accepting the darkness within themselves. The film ends on a tragic note, highlighting that the horror of past actions continues to haunt them, tearing their lives and relationships apart in the process.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44

Unlock the Full Story of Brooklyn 45

Don't stop at just watching — explore Brooklyn 45 in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Brooklyn 45 is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Brooklyn 45 Timeline

Track the full timeline of Brooklyn 45 with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Brooklyn 45 Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Brooklyn 45

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Brooklyn 45. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Brooklyn 45

Brooklyn 45 Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Brooklyn 45? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Brooklyn 45 Ending Explained

More About Brooklyn 45

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Brooklyn 45: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Brooklyn 45

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