If you’ve ever wanted to waste almost two hours of your life on a film that tries too hard to be “deep” and meaningful, then “Aftersun” by Charlotte Wells is perfect for you! Possibly the most overrated film of 2022, Aftersun is constantly trying to milk every ounce of emotion from viewers in an embarrassing attempt at solidifying itself as some sort of epic tear-jerker. Spoiler alert! It’s not.
Let’s start with Sophie and her oh-so-edgy MiniDV camera. Seriously? Talk about beating a dead horse with the whole “nostalgia” gimmick. Like, we get it, old tech is kinda retro cool, but that doesn’t make up for a plot that’s as thin as watered-down gravy.
And speaking of nostalgia, Wells’ obsession with hammering in throwbacks isn’t just limited to Sophie’s outdated camcorder. The entire film feels like an awkward attempt at forcing sentimentality down our throats. Does she think that by drowning us in a sea of yesteryears, we’ll overlook the glaring plot holes and half-baked character development? Newsflash: Slapping on a vintage filter doesn’t turn a bland story into an instant classic. It’s like putting lipstick on a pig—still a pig.
Then there’s Calum, the angsty 30-something who reads self-help books and does Tai chi. Yawn. Could he BE any more of a walking cliché? And, OMG, the smoking thing? Haven’t we seen that tired trope of “hidden vices” in a gazillion other faux deep films?
The interactions between the father and daughter can be best described as cringe. The whole rug thing? Super predictable! And that awkward karaoke moment? Major second-hand embarrassment. And who picks “Losing My Religion” for karaoke anyway these days? Couldn’t they have picked something that is actually well known for being a karaoke favourite?
But the most “LOL” moment for me? The super mysterious rave scenes. Like, what even is going on there? It’s like Wells thought she’d just chuck in some strobe lights and techno beats and suddenly her movie would become all deep and artsy. Nah, sis. It just looks like a crap budget rave from the ’90s.
Do I even dare talk about the ending? Yes, I do. More tangled and messy than a pair of headphones left in your pocket. Adult Sophie’s life is as bland as unseasoned chicken, and the hints at what happened to Calum are just lazy storytelling. The rug? That’s the emotional tie-in? Might as well have been a lampshade for all I care.
In conclusion, if you’re keen on watching a movie that thinks it’s all deep and touching but is really just a hot mess of meh, then “Aftersun” is your jam. But if you have taste and don’t wanna be bored outta your mind, skip this one. It’s a total dud.
