Aftersun is a 2022 coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Charlotte Wells. It stars Paul Mescal as Calum, a young father struggling with depression, and Frankie Corio as his 11-year-old daughter Sophie. The film follows Sophie and Calum as they spend a week together on holiday in Turkey in the late 1990s.
The film opens with camcorder footage of Sophie interviewing her father Calum. We then see them arriving at a faded resort in Turkey for their holiday. Sophie befriends some local teenagers while Calum tries to hide his inner turmoil from Sophie, engaging in activities like Tai Chi and reading self-help books when she’s not around.
During the trip, there are several hints that Calum is severely depressed. He casually mentions to a diving instructor that he’ll be surprised if he makes it to 40. When Sophie loses an expensive scuba mask in the ocean, Calum has an outburst over the cost but quickly tries to hide his anxiety. In one scene, he is shown alone in their hotel room, sobbing on the edge of the bed surrounded by letters he has written.
On their final night, Sophie and Calum dance together happily to “Under Pressure.” The film then cuts to the airport, where a cheery Sophie says goodbye as she leaves for home. Calum watches her go, then walks away down an empty corridor. As he passes through a set of doors, strobe lighting is visible, implying this was their final goodbye.
Aftersun Ending Explained
The ending strongly implies, but does not outright state, that Calum dies by suicide shortly after their trip. The film cuts to adult Sophie on her 31st birthday – the same age Calum was on their holiday. She now has her own child and appears to be processing trauma related to losing her father at a young age.
In the final shots, we see Sophie rewatching the old camcorder footage. She pauses on the last moment of Calum putting away the camera and walking through the airport doors into the strobe lighting. This symbolizes him leaving reality and only existing in her memories going forward.
So while his fate is not definitively stated, the film conveys the devastating pain of his absence in Sophie’s adult life. It is an open exploration of depression, grief, and reconciling with memories of lost loved ones.
Critical Reception
Aftersun received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for Wells’ screenplay and direction, the cinematography, and the performances by Corio and Mescal. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 96% approval rating.
Many critics praised the film’s ability to portray depression in a realistic way through small details and moments, rather than overt dramatization. Wells’ exploration of memory and perspective also drew acclaim as an accurate representation of how children perceive the world.
The film received several awards, including the National Board of Review award for Best First Film. At the 2023 Academy Awards, Paul Mescal was nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of Calum.
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So in summary, Aftersun is a devastating yet beautiful film that explores depression, grief, and the fallibility of memory through the bond between a loving but troubled father and his young daughter. Its ending implies his tragic fate while conveying the lasting impact of loss.
