I’ve never heard of Charlotte Wells until I saw her newest film, Aftersun, and I am currently in the midst of a love hate relationship with her a week later after seeing the film. There is a strong chance that this is going to divide people. It will divide people the same way A Ghost Story did because of the comparable underlying message in Aftersun. But this does it better.
The movie focuses on Sophie played both by Frankie Corio (for the majority of the film) and Celia Rowlson-Hall. The older Sophie is remembering a holiday she took with her father, Calum, played by Paul Mescal. This holiday takes place 20 years prior, filling in the gaps of her memories with fabrications, as she tries to forgive her father for issues she’s bottled for that time. What makes Aftersun shine and rise above the rest are the incredible performances from its main cast.
Paul Mescal truly shines throughout bringing a tour de force performance with him. Frankie Coiro as young Sophie excels in her role as well. The chemistry shared between Mescal and Corio is truly palpable and the love and bond they share, even if fractured at times throughout their vacation is evident. However, where the movie slightly tumbles is in the ambiguous line that Wells’ creates. One between what is fact and what is fiction. There is nothing wrong with a film that leaves you thinking, just sometimes there needs to be an end to the final thought.
- Release Date: 9/8/2022
