by Eli Alderfer
*This Review Contains Spoilers*
Aftersun is Charlotte Wells’ 2022 directorial debut starring Frankie Corio and Paul Mescal, leading to Mescal’s Oscar nomination for best actor. Produced by A24, Aftersun is a soberingly dramatic work of visual poetry. Charlotte Wells showcases clear direction and intention within the subtlety of the story. To fully understand the power and beauty of this film, I was compelled to watch it twice despite its heart-shattering poignancy. Aftersun will make you fall in love with cinema, and holds inspiration in filmmaking, forming what I consider to be one of the greatest films of the 21st century.
Set in the early 1990s, the story follows Callum (Paul Mescal) and Sophie (Frankie Corio) as a father-daughter duo on vacation at a beach resort in Turkey. Sophie spends her days at the resort filming memories on her camcorder, presenting parts of the story through POV footage. Aftersun sets us up for a coming-of-age story about Sophie, but instead a deep narrative about Callum and his battle with depression is unveiled. At the film’s start, we meet Sophie and Callum, who appear content with a solid and loving relationship. As the film progresses, Callum’s depression becomes overwhelming, and we see the effects of that. We see Sophie begin to understand, even at a young age, that her father is struggling. Although the film is subdued and very little happens throughout the story, the slow-burn dramatic style is captivating and filled with so much depth and emotion that it outclasses most modern films.
The presentation of perspective throughout Aftersun is the most critical component of the film. On the surface, we see a linear story about a father and daughter, but if we look deeper, we find a more significant interpretation of how the characters are viewed. The film follows a structure of three perspectives: Sophie’s memory, Sophie’s imagination, and the recorded video via the camcorder. The film follows these three perspectives, telling an emotionally captivating story through various formats and imagery. Based on how this narrative is revealed, the character’s engagements depend on the perspective. Scenes shown through the camcorder are authentic, preserved events that replay to fill the gaps of memories lost to time and history. Moments in which Callum and Sophie are together are retold according to Sophie’s imperfect memory, and scenes featuring Callum alone are purely fabricated from Sophie’s imagination, based on what she assumes may have happened when she was not with him. With this untraditional storytelling style, we can better understand Sophie’s perception of her vacation and relationship with her father.
Aftersun is Charlotte Wells’ 2022 directorial debut starring Frankie Corio and Paul Mescal, leading to Mescal’s Oscar nomination for best actor. Produced by A24, Aftersun is a soberingly dramatic work of visual poetry. Charlotte Wells showcases clear direction and intention within the subtlety of the story. To fully understand the power and beauty of this film, I was compelled to watch it twice despite its heart-shattering poignancy. Aftersun will make you fall in love with cinema, and holds inspiration in filmmaking, forming what I consider to be one of the greatest films of the 21st century.
Set in the early 1990s, the story follows Callum (Paul Mescal) and Sophie (Frankie Corio) as a father-daughter duo on vacation at a beach resort in Turkey. Sophie spends her days at the resort filming memories on her camcorder, presenting parts of the story through POV footage. Aftersun sets us up for a coming-of-age story about Sophie, but instead a deep narrative about Callum and his battle with depression is unveiled. At the film’s start, we meet Sophie and Callum, who appear content with a solid and loving relationship. As the film progresses, Callum’s depression becomes overwhelming, and we see the effects of that. We see Sophie begin to understand, even at a young age, that her father is struggling. Although the film is subdued and very little happens throughout the story, the slow-burn dramatic style is captivating and filled with so much depth and emotion that it outclasses most modern films.
The presentation of perspective throughout Aftersun is the most critical component of the film. On the surface, we see a linear story about a father and daughter, but if we look deeper, we find a more significant interpretation of how the characters are viewed. The film follows a structure of three perspectives: Sophie’s memory, Sophie’s imagination, and the recorded video via the camcorder. The film follows these three perspectives, telling an emotionally captivating story through various formats and imagery. Based on how this narrative is revealed, the character’s engagements depend on the perspective. Scenes shown through the camcorder are authentic, preserved events that replay to fill the gaps of memories lost to time and history. Moments in which Callum and Sophie are together are retold according to Sophie’s imperfect memory, and scenes featuring Callum alone are purely fabricated from Sophie’s imagination, based on what she assumes may have happened when she was not with him. With this untraditional storytelling style, we can better understand Sophie’s perception of her vacation and relationship with her father.
On the surface, Aftersun is a beautifully shot and masterful drama with minimal excitement: no big explosions, no plot twists, no CGI battles. Simply put, Aftersun is a one-of-a-kind, honest film, a trait complex to come by in modern cinema. To fully understand the film’s brilliance, every detail must be acknowledged. At first, the meaning of the film may be hidden or confusing, but deep down the film represents the manifestation of anxiety, depression, and grief. Paul Mescal’s somber and brutal performance captures the piercing mental pain that Callum endures. As the film progresses, we see the unbearable sense of regret overtake Callum, leading to the beginning of a broken relationship between him and Sophie. Since the separation between him and his wife, Callum begins to believe that he cannot provide the care that Sophie deserves. Callum’s doubts and addictions fuel his depression, eventually breaking him down until he feels as though he is nothing. Callum tries to cope by practicing Tai Chi and spending time with Sophie but his mental health declines rapidly. Callum’s misery is presented when he denies Sophie’s wish to sing karaoke with her, becoming verbally aggressive with her. Sophie understands that her father is troubled with hopelessness and realizes that these may be her last moments with him.
At the film’s climactic finale, Sophie and Callum share one last dance, as clearly defined by Queen’s “Under Pressure,” which is dramatically remixed for this scene. The song pairs with imagery of Sophie holding onto Callum so painfully tight, pulling on the heartstrings of every viewer. As the song slowly repeats, “This is our last dance…” we realize that this is likely the last time Sophie will ever see her father. The scene cuts between the emotionally slowed dancing and a visual interpretation of loss. The scene flashes in and out just enough to glimpse what it alludes to. With each flash, we see adult Sophie silently screaming and she tries to hold onto Callum, who is falling into the darkness, both literally and metaphorically. The slow pace of young Sophie dancing in soft, warm light contrasts the dark and cold-colored harshness of the representation of the mental void. Sophie’s distraught emotion warns us that she too is falling close to the void. After her vacation with Callum, she began to develop anxiety and depression due to the effect Callum had on her.
At the film’s climactic finale, Sophie and Callum share one last dance, as clearly defined by Queen’s “Under Pressure,” which is dramatically remixed for this scene. The song pairs with imagery of Sophie holding onto Callum so painfully tight, pulling on the heartstrings of every viewer. As the song slowly repeats, “This is our last dance…” we realize that this is likely the last time Sophie will ever see her father. The scene cuts between the emotionally slowed dancing and a visual interpretation of loss. The scene flashes in and out just enough to glimpse what it alludes to. With each flash, we see adult Sophie silently screaming and she tries to hold onto Callum, who is falling into the darkness, both literally and metaphorically. The slow pace of young Sophie dancing in soft, warm light contrasts the dark and cold-colored harshness of the representation of the mental void. Sophie’s distraught emotion warns us that she too is falling close to the void. After her vacation with Callum, she began to develop anxiety and depression due to the effect Callum had on her.
As the memories of her father begin to fade away with the music, Sophie remembers her last looks with Callum. At the end of their vacation, they wave goodbye at the airport, sharing one last smile. Sophie’s smiling wave is frozen in time as the last frame captured on the camcorder, seen only again by her adult self, reliving the past. The camera transitions from the camcorder footage, to Sophie watching it, to Callum walking away, all in one seamless arc shot. The very final shot quietly shows Callum closing the camcorder and turning away, walking towards a set of double doors. Beyond these doors is the pitch black void, with only the occasional bright light. This final scene is an obvious representation of Callum headed into the darkness of his mind, leading him to self-destruction and presumably the end of his life.
The cinematography of Aftersun is innovative, creating stunning scenery and visuals. Aftersun focuses on reflections, which can be seen through the cinematography and the film’s themes. Cinematographer Gregory Oke heightens the story’s meanings through metaphorical values via the compositional use of mirrors, glass, and water reflections. The characters are often visibly interacting with one another, shown through the reflection of an object, such as a TV, which helps to give space between the audience and the characters, showing that Callum is distanced from everyone else. Alongside the reflective compositions, minimalist shots are also incorporated to symbolize the idea that Callum feels insignificant compared to everything else. Every shot and transition in the film is intentionally used to capture how Callum and Sophie feel throughout the story.
Aftersun does a phenomenal job of speaking on mental health, specifically men’s mental health. The movie pulls on the audience’s souls, making us care deeply for both Sophie and Callum. The film makes us aware of the pain and struggle that goes along with mental health and how it affects others, especially families. Charlotte Wells did a remarkable job writing and directing this breathtaking film, and the casting of both Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio was perfect. Both actors treated the film like a natural conversation, creating a genuine film. Aftersun is so much more than just a movie. It is an exhibit of love, grief, and bittersweet heartbreak. Wells’ directorial debut will leave you speechless and full of emotions you never knew you could feel, wondering “Why can’t we just stay here?”
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