Aftersun Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Scottish dad and his daughter go on vacation, but the dad’s secretly sad, and the daughter just wants to steal hotel towels without getting caught.

🍿 Aftersun: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Turkish Holiday in the Late 90s

The film opens with a MiniDV camcorder, capturing the perspective of 11-year-old Sophie and her father, Calum, during a holiday in Turkey. Calum, in his early 30s, is separated from Sophie’s mother and lives in London, making this vacation a rare opportunity for them to bond. The camcorder footage is interspersed throughout the movie, giving a nostalgic and intimate feel to the experience. Sophie and Calum navigate the resort, engaging in typical vacation activities while Sophie documents their time together.

Sophie’s Exploration and Calum’s Hidden Struggles

As Sophie enjoys her holiday, she observes and interacts with other tourists, making friends with a boy named Michael. She experiences the beginnings of adolescence, navigating new social dynamics. Meanwhile, Calum attempts to hide his inner turmoil beneath a facade of contentment. He practices Tai Chi, reads self-help books, and secretly smokes, hinting at underlying depression and anxiety. He is shown grappling with the responsibilities of being a young, single father.

Moments of Connection and Growing Awareness

Throughout the vacation, subtle moments reveal Calum’s struggles. When Sophie loses her scuba mask, Calum initially brushes it off, but Sophie senses his true feelings and comforts him. A trip to a rug shop highlights his financial anxieties. A karaoke night ends with Sophie singing alone after Calum refuses to join her. These interactions reveal a growing awareness in Sophie of her father’s vulnerabilities and the pressures he faces.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Calum (Paul Mescal): A young, loving but troubled father grappling with depression while trying to provide a memorable holiday for his daughter.
• Sophie (Frankie Corio): An inquisitive and observant 11-year-old girl who treasures the time spent with her father on a summer vacation.
• Adult Sophie (Celia Rowlson-Hall): A woman reflecting on her childhood vacation with her father, trying to understand him and their relationship.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sophie: “Don’t you ever feel like… you’ve just done a whole amazing day and then you come home and feel tired and down and… it feels like your bones don’t work, they’re just tired, and everything is tired. Like you’re sinking. I don’t know, it’s weird.” – Sophie describes a feeling of inexplicable sadness after a day of fun, hinting at a deeper understanding of her father’s hidden struggles.
• Calum: “You don’t think there’s a chance you can over prepare for something?” – Calum’s question to Sophie on her interest in her mother’s love life reveals a veiled anxiety about the future and a desire to control the unknown.
• Calum: “I’m surprised I made it to 30.” – Calum says this to the scuba diving instructor, indicating a sense of weariness with life and low expectations for his future.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $7 million
• Domestic Gross: $1,658,790
• Worldwide Gross: $8,598,565

💥 Aftersun Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, ‘Aftersun’ really got to me. The whole movie felt like watching someone else’s cherished home video, but with a growing sense of unease. I kept waiting for something big to happen, but the beauty was in the small moments, those tiny interactions between Sophie and her dad. That ending, with the strobe lights and the dancing, it just hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m still thinking about it days later. Definitely one of the most impactful movies I’ve seen in a long time.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of indie dramas and coming-of-age stories.”
  • “Viewers interested in films exploring complex family relationships and mental health.”
  • “Those who appreciate subtle, character-driven narratives with ambiguous endings.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Implied suicide and discussion of mental health issues.”
  • “Brief nudity and suggestive content.”
  • “Some coarse language.”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Charlotte Wells’ debut is a masterclass in subtlety and emotional resonance. Paul Mescal delivers a career-defining performance, while Frankie Corio shines as his daughter. The film lingers in the memory long after the credits roll, prompting reflection on the complexities of family and the enduring power of love.
• The Guardian: “A profoundly moving and deeply personal film about the bond between a father and daughter. Charlotte Wells’ direction is assured and sensitive, creating an atmosphere of intimacy that draws the viewer into the heart of the story. Mescal and Corio are both exceptional.
• Sight & Sound: “A delicate and emotionally complex exploration of memory and loss. Wells’ film is remarkable for its restraint and its ability to evoke powerful feelings without resorting to melodrama. The performances are nuanced and believable, making ‘Aftersun’ a truly unforgettable experience.

Audience Reactions

The raw, honest portrayal of the father-daughter relationship deeply resonated with viewers.: Most people found the performances by Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio to be incredibly authentic and moving.

Viewers were especially moved by the ending, finding it both heartbreaking and beautiful.: Many praised the film’s subtle approach to dealing with mental health and family dynamics.

Overall Consensus: A critically acclaimed and emotionally resonant film that explores the complexities of family relationships with subtlety and grace, though some viewers may find the slow pace challenging.

Awards

1. BAFTA Awards (Outstanding British Film)- 2023

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Charlotte Wells stated that during the two-week rehearsal period in Turkey, there were two read-throughs of the script with just Wells, Paul Mescal, and Frankie Corio. The scripts purposefully omitted scenes focusing on Calum’s depression, so Corio’s performance would remain naive to those facts, mirroring Sophie’s perspective.”
• “The film is semi-autobiographical, drawing inspiration from writer/director Charlotte Wells’ relationship with her own father and their shared memories.”
• “The use of MiniDV footage was a deliberate choice to immerse the audience in the late 1990s setting and provide a sense of intimacy and nostalgia.”
• “The film’s title, ‘Aftersun,’ refers to a lotion used to soothe sunburn, and metaphorically alludes to Sophie’s attempt to soothe the emotional ‘sunburn’ she carries from her memories of her father.”

🖥️ How to Watch Aftersun?

Aftersun is available to stream on various platforms. Check your local listings for options such as Showtime, Paramount+, or through subscription services like DirecTV. You can also rent or purchase the film on demand from platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Aftersun, you might like these similar films:

• Manchester by the Sea (2016): Both films explore themes of grief, depression, and the inability to fully connect with loved ones due to internal struggles, using a quiet and observational style.
• The Tree of Life (2011): Similar to Aftersun in its non-linear narrative and focus on fragmented memories to portray a complex father-son relationship and the search for meaning in life.
• Beginners (2010): Focuses on a son reflecting on his relationship with his father after his death, grappling with unresolved feelings and trying to understand his father’s life choices.
• 20th Century Women (2016): Like Aftersun, deals with parental roles, capturing the specific era and challenges of parenting, highlighting the complexities and nuances of familial bonds during a specific time.

🛒 Aftersun Related Products

• Aftersun [Blu-ray]: Own a physical copy of Aftersun with immersive viewing experience. Enjoy the film’s artistry and emotional depth in stunning high-definition.
• Aftersun Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the film’s evocative poster art. The poster is professionally printed to capture the film’s emotional mood, making it a perfect addition to any cinephile’s collection.
• 80’s/90’s Nostalgia Retro MiniDV Camcorder: Relive the memories with Nostalgic Camcorder, creating that warm home video feeling! Capture your precious memories in a retro look with the 80s/90s aesthetic.
• David Bowie: The Biography: Explore the life and music of the iconic David Bowie, whose music is featured in a pivotal scene of the film. Gain deeper insight and discover the man behind the music.

🎧 Soundtrack

Aftersun features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Losing My Religion” – performed by R.E.M.
• “Under Pressure” – performed by Queen & David Bowie
• “High Hopes A” – performed by Gerhard Narholz (as Mac Prindy)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Paul Mescal: “That Is NOT Going Into My Body!” | Snack Wars

Get ready for some laughs as Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio try out some British and Irish snacks. Spoiler alert: Paul isn’t a fan of an iconic British spread!

Mark Kermode reviews Aftersun – Kermode and Mayo’s Take

Join esteemed film critic Mark Kermode as he dissects Aftersun, offering his expert opinion and valuable insights.

Why Aftersun is a Masterpiece | *Spoilers*

Dive into a thought-provoking analysis of Aftersun’s themes and ending. This video will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the film’s intricacies.

Aftersun Explained | What the Rave Really Means

Unlock the enigmatic rave scene in Aftersun. This video breaks down its symbolism and its connection to the film’s emotional journey.

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