Aftersun - 💥💥💥💥💥

Director: Charlotte Wells 

Writer: Charlotte Wells 

Release Date: 18th November 2022

Hot Rating: 💥💥💥💥💥

Synopsis:  A film about a Scottish man, Calum, and his 11-year-old daughter Sophie on a summer holiday to Turkey. Sophie is observant and records the trip on a camera. Calum is quietly struggling with various adult problems, which Sophie senses but does not fully understand. Throughout the film, Sophie tries to understand Calum better.

Review: Aftersun is a beautifully crafted film that delves deep into love and loss. Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio possess an electric chemistry that effectively captures the essence of familial bonds. Their emotional journey is both heart warming and heart breaking, meandering between the holiday of the past and the fragments of Sophie’s life in the present day. How memory is explored recalls the work of fellow Scottish filmmaker Lynne Ramsay, particularly in Wells' ability to visualise the essence of objects and textures. This  careful attention to detail makes the holiday at the centre of the story feel authentic and tangible. The film’s soundtrack, which deploys anthems by Bowie and REM, is another example of how the film builds an authentic, melancholic environment. In Wells' work, even a daughter singing karaoke can feel painfully sincere. While Aftersun is a slow-burner, the film's tender and thought-provoking exploration of human connection makes it a must-see.

Image: YouTube