Aftermath Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Arnold is sad because planes are loud, and someone in a tower made one extra loud, so he does something about it, maybe involving a stern look and a pearl necklace.

🍿 Aftermath: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Plane Crash

Roman Melnyk, a construction foreman, eagerly anticipates the arrival of his wife and pregnant daughter for the holidays. Meanwhile, air traffic controller Jake Bonanos is at work when a series of unfortunate events leads to a mid-air collision. Roman arrives at the airport only to discover his family was on the flight, and there were no survivors. Jake is left to grapple with the guilt and fallout of his mistake.

Coping with Loss

Both Roman and Jake struggle to cope with the tragedy in the aftermath of the crash. Roman is overcome with grief and seeks answers, while Jake faces public scrutiny and personal torment. Roman attends a support group but remains isolated in his grief, while Jake and his family are harassed and forced to live in fear. The airline offers Roman a settlement, but he is more concerned with someone taking responsibility for the deaths of his loved ones. He wants an apology.

Seeking Accountability

Roman is unable to find peace, and seeks out Jacob after a journalist helps him track the controller down. Roman finds Jacob living under a new name and confronts him, hoping for an apology. After an altercation breaks out, a fight ensues, leading to tragic consequences. Roman’s desperation for closure and inability to move forward leads to violence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Roman (Arnold Schwarzenegger): A grieving construction foreman who seeks revenge after losing his wife and daughter in a plane crash caused by an air traffic controller’s error.
• Jake (Scoot McNairy): An air traffic controller who is burdened with guilt and tries to start a new life after his error leads to a devastating plane crash.
• Christina (Maggie Grace): Jake’s wife who struggles to support him and their son in the aftermath of the tragic accident.
• Samuel (Judah Nelson): Jake’s son, who experiences the repercussions of the plane crash and his father’s guilt.
• John Gullick (Kevin Zegers): An arrogant airline lawyer who represents the company and offers Roman a settlement, but refuses to apologize for the accident.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Roman: “Look at this photo. I would like for someone to say that they’re sorry for killing my family.” – Roman says this to the airline lawyers, expressing his need for accountability and an apology for the loss of his wife and daughter.
• Jacob: “You know, sometimes I put myself in their shoes… I just want this pain inside of me to go away.” – Jacob tells Tessa, a journalist, about his feelings of guilt and the weight of his actions, revealing his inner turmoil.
• Roman: “No one has said they’re sorry.” – Roman expresses his frustration and pain over the lack of acknowledgment and apology from the responsible parties.
• Roman: “Do what you have to do. I understand.” – Roman says this to Jacob’s son, Samuel, when Samuel confronts him with a gun, showing his acceptance of the consequences of his actions.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10.5M
• Domestic Gross: $539,291
• Worldwide Gross: $840,809

💥 Aftermath Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting an action flick, but I was completely wrong. It’s a heavy, emotional drama that really makes you think about grief and forgiveness. Arnold’s performance was surprisingly touching, especially when he’s just staring at the photo of his family. I found myself really invested in both Roman’s and Jake’s stories. The ending was tough to watch, but it felt honest and real. It’s not a feel-good movie, but it’s definitely worth watching if you’re in the mood for something thought-provoking.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger looking for a dramatic performance”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about grief and loss”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven dramas”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Grief and loss”
  • “Plane crash aftermath”
  • “Violence”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A somber and affecting drama. Schwarzenegger delivers a surprisingly restrained performance as a man consumed by grief. While slow-paced, the film thoughtfully explores themes of loss and revenge. The film is a difficult watch, but ultimately rewarding.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Aftermath relies too heavily on grief. McNairy performance anchors this film, which is at times is too ponderous, but never boring. It’s an acting showcase for Schwarzenegger in a dramatic role, which is a welcome change from his usual action fare.
• RogerEbert.com: “While Schwarzenegger is trying, the movie lacks the emotional depth to truly resonate. McNairy, however, provides a stellar performance as the tormented air traffic controller and the plot is realistic to the Bashkirian Airlines Flight 2937.

Audience Reactions

Schwarzenegger’s surprising dramatic turn was a highlight for many viewers.: Most agreed that the film was a slow burn, but it offered a realistic portrayal of grief and the complexities of forgiveness.

The film makes you think of your own family.: Not an Arnold fan must see.

Overall Consensus: A slow-paced, but ultimately moving drama. The film is elevated by strong performances from Schwarzenegger and McNairy, offering a poignant exploration of loss and redemption.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is inspired by the real-life Überlingen mid-air collision in 2002, where two planes collided over Germany, resulting in numerous fatalities.”
• “Arnold Schwarzenegger took on the role of Roman to explore a more dramatic and emotionally challenging character, moving away from his typical action roles.”
• “The filmmakers aimed to create a nuanced and visceral cinematic experience that explored the themes of grief, guilt, and revenge.”
• “The film explores the perspectives of both the grieving father and the air traffic controller, highlighting the impact of the tragedy on both their lives.”
• “The ending of the film was deliberately ambiguous to reflect the complexities and lack of easy resolutions in real-life tragedies.”

🖥️ How to Watch Aftermath?

Aftermath is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for purchase or rental on services like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Manchester by the Sea (2016): Both films explore the profound grief and aftermath of tragic loss, focusing on the characters’ struggles to cope and find meaning.
• Prisoners (2013): Deals with themes of desperation, revenge, and the moral compromises people make when pushed to their limits by loss and injustice.
• Collateral Damage (2002): Both movies feature Arnold Schwarzenegger in a revenge-driven plot after the loss of his family due to terrorism. Although Collateral Damage is more action-oriented.
• In the Bedroom (2001): Portrays the aftermath of a family tragedy and the parents’ grief and eventual desire for revenge, with a focus on character-driven drama.

🛒 Aftermath Related Products

• Aftermath (Blu-ray): Own the intense drama on Blu-ray. Experience the film in high definition with enhanced audio and bonus features.
• Plane Crash Investigation: Season 1: Delve deeper into the real-life investigations of air disasters with this gripping series. Learn about the causes, the aftermath, and the lessons learned.
• Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy: A book about helping people handle loss. A good choice to understand grief and the path to recovery.
• TCAS II System: Flight Simulator addon module that shows the funtions of TCAS II. A good way to understand how this system works. High value for the flight enthusiast

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Main Theme” – performed by Mark Todd
• “Grief” – performed by Mark Todd
• “Aftermath Suite” – performed by Mark Todd

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Bad Movie Review: The Aftermath

Ever wondered if that old post-apocalyptic movie you saw was actually any good? This review dives deep into “The Aftermath” (1982) and doesn’t hold back. You might be surprised – or maybe not! Click here to find out if it’s a hidden gem or just plain terrible.

✨ Rate