Aftersun
Performance & Direction: Aftersun Review
Last updated: February 14, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Aftersun (2022) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Aftersun features a noteworthy lineup led by Paul Mescal . Supported by the likes of Frankie Corio and Brooklyn Toulson , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: The lead actors exhibit a remarkable range, navigating the emotional peaks and valleys of their respective characters with a precision that makes every motivation feel earned.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Aftersun
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2022, Aftersun is a Drama film directed by Charlotte Wells. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Paul Mescal.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Sophie reflects on the shared joy and private melancholy of a holiday she took with her father twenty years earlier. Memories fill the gaps between camcorder footages as she tries to reconcile the father she knew with the troubled man she didn't. The screenplay takes time to develop Paul Mescal's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The protagonist, portrayed by Paul Mescal, undergoes a meaningful transformation, with their journey feeling earned and emotionally resonant. Supporting characters are well-developed, each serving a purpose in the narrative.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: Aftersun
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Charlotte Wells, Aftersun resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Paul Mescal, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes in a way that feels organic to the story.
The final moments of Aftersun demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Aftersun?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Drama cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate emotionally resonant character studies and meaningful themes
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Box Office Collection: Aftersun
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $7.8M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Top Cast: Aftersun
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Where to Watch Aftersun Online?
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Amazon VideoAftersun Parents Guide & Age Rating
2022 AdvisoryWondering about Aftersun age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Aftersun is 101 minutes (1h 41m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.7/10, and global performance metrics, Aftersun is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2022 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aftersun worth watching?
Aftersun is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.7/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Aftersun parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Aftersun identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Aftersun?
The total duration of Aftersun is 101 minutes, which is approximately 1h 41m long.
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Critic Reviews for Aftersun
"Calum" (Paul Mescal) and his daughter "Sophie" (Frankie Corio) head off for a holiday in Turkey. Initially their experience reminded me of "Carry on Abroad" (1972) with the usual building works and booking errors, but soon they settle into a comfortable poolside routine and we begin to learn a little about the dynamic between father and daughter. The occasional conversation with their absent mother tells us the parents are no longer together and a series of ongoing vacation activities paired with brief flashbacks from the adult "Sophie" help us to follow the young girl's attempts to get to know her father better - and he, her - as they relax in the sunshine. This features a strong and confident performance from the young Corio and there is an engaging familial dynamic here between the two. His character is protective but indulgent, her's independent and curious - and auteur Charlotte Wells allows their characterisations to develop for us in a well paced, considered fashion. Nothing really happens here - and yet so much does with their relationship and their respective maturity. It has a realism to it - there are no "jump" moments as such, it's about evolution and both have plenty of scope for that. I am not sure it really needs to be seen at a cinema, but it is certainly worth watching when it hits the smaller screen.
I was pulled into watching this movie by the high ratings it received rather than the plot or the performers. So I find myself in the weird position of wondering if I am a bit thick and just didn’t “get it.” For to me the movie was a mess. There were some striking scenes and fine acting, but it all seemed disjointed and confused to me. Between shaky camera syndrome and recurring flashing images that meant nothing to me, I lost the thread of the story besides the obvious, which was showing the ongoing interaction between father and daughter. Several of the quiet scenes seemed to trail off and take on the appearance of a still life picture, and then suddenly we are in the next scene, Wait, what was the previous scene all about? There were a few hints alluding to the father’s melancholy state of mind and where it might have led him (since we were not told explicitly) and those scenes should have been critical ones driving the plot and the mood of the story. But they felt like they were offered just as sidebar information.
This is about an important topic in today's world - unrecognized mental health issues. First, let me say that the acting is tremendous. Paul Mescal did an awesome job of portraying the silence of depression. Even Frankie impressed me, like another Ana Paquin. This is a powerful story that clearly mirrors the unanswered questions in the life of auteur Charlotte Wells. This film has been added to my movie list "Directors About Themselves". https://letterboxd.com/sirlaffalot/list/directors-about-themselves/ I was really only not pleased with the introduction of Older Sophie's domestic life. We don't learn anything about them and it leaves a hole in the overall script.
Would almost describe it as boring except I felt very uneasy and on edge the whole time. A humanistic portrait of a father-daughter relationship that evokes the question of what is it to be a good father.
I unintentionally farted during the movie's perhaps most serious scene and started laughing because of the contrast. Then, as the character on-screen started sobbing, I started laughing harder, and I couldn't stop myself, and tears started rolling. That's a true story, and by far the best moment of the movie for me. I wanted to like this movie as my brother recommended it, but it's... Toxic. I can tell from the songs that are played throughout that someone in my age group made this. But... It's narcissism. It's like a shit teenager from when I was a teenager grew up, and never became an adult. Whoever made this is a piece of shit. That's what I'm left with. I want nothing to do with the father in this movie, I don't want to know how his broken daughter is trying to become unbroken. I don't want anything to do with anyone involved in making this movie, unless they thought they were making a scathing commentary of how narcissism becomes negative heritage for the unfortunate descendants of them.
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.










