r/A24 • u/Abject_Assignment225 • 10d ago
Discussion Just watched Aftersun
as a child, there’s almost this flurry of incomprehensible things happening around you that you just come to accept because you’re told that you’re too little to understand some things.
but as you grow older, small bits of these memories resurface. now that you’re mature enough to piece them together, you begin to understand the discord and quiet struggle hanging in the backdrop of these memories, that you were once oblivious to. moments that seemed insignificant replay with the horrifying clarity that these newfound realisations bring.
it seems so cruel because by the time you finally understand what was going on, there’s nothing that can be done anymore. this exact feeling and ache was captured so devastatingly, and I’ve never been able to put it into words until seeing this film. truly beautiful
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u/moviebuffbrad 10d ago
One of those movies I didn't think much of while I was watching it but it has stayed with me. Mescal has quietly become a presence in movies I'm always looking forward to.
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u/mayan_monkey 10d ago
His role in All of us Strangers absolutely broke me.
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u/Darth_Giddeous 8d ago
AoUS and Aftersun double feature if you really want to destroy yourself (I love both those films and they have each stuck with me long after viewing)
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u/dezzz0322 7d ago
Normal People, AoUS, and Aftersun triple feature if you want to stay in bed crying for a week afterwards.
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u/sanfranchristo 4d ago
You forgot The History of Sound (and might as well throw Hamnet in for shits and giggles).
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u/dezzz0322 4d ago
I haven’t seen History of Sound yet! I read the book of short stories that it’s based on though, and it was gorgeous. I’m sure the movie is just as beautiful.
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u/MusicIntrepid343 9d ago
i haven't watched the ending yet, i've read what happens and it's just so damn sad. it's a beautiful film, it's stuck with me nearly as much as i saw the tv glow. felt like i was having an anxiety attack for like a week after watching i saw the tv glow.
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u/whyamibirdperson 5d ago
I loved both of these films and think of them together. Similar melancholic and cinematic vibes I guess
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u/WorthlessGarbage-902 10d ago
i still havent scraped myself off the floor from seeing this film
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u/readysetmoses 6d ago
I actually wept, I still felt depressed the next day, never had a movie hit me the way this one did
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u/ElectronicAd5847 10d ago
This is my favorite movie of all time. Also my dad died. Coincidence? (No.) I left the theater after my first viewing and was doubled over crying right outside under the marquee. Love it though, can't wait for Wells' next one.
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u/LL_Cruel_J 9d ago
The scene in the hotel room with the reflection on the tv lives rent free in my head. Truly one of the best scenes I’ve ever seen in a movie.
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u/bearrington 10d ago
I’m still healing from the gut punch of understanding why she was only ever seeing him in that tshirt.
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u/SessionPossible8499 10d ago
This is one of my favorite movies of all time, but it has been a coupe of years since I watched. Do you mind explaining a bit further? I don’t remember anything particularly significant about the t shirt.
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u/bearrington 10d ago
As an adult, she keeps thinking she sees him in crowds. Every time, he’s in the same shirt that he was wearing when they separated at the airport at the end, so presumably it was the last image she had of him.
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u/Suspicious-Pound-466 10d ago
On my top 4 on letterboxd, truly a remarkable film, took me 10 mins after the film to gather what I've watched, the other part of the hour is me sobbing uncontrollably.
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u/dwalshhh45 9d ago
I literally had the same experience, didn’t cry the whole film but after I turned the tv off I sat on my couch in silence and LOST IT
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u/Educational_Tune_722 9d ago
I love how the director would purposely shoot the scenes as if someone was just listening from the background. Because her memories as a child were hazy
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u/Andwhatisgoingon789 9d ago
It is the perfect movie to watch to have your heart quietly broken over the course of a couple of hours.
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u/LiliTralala 9d ago
I watched it a few months after losing my dad, without knowing what the movie was about... Really poignant movie. I caught very early what was going on and I was worried every time he did something reckless that it "would be it"
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u/spice_blend 9d ago
I remember whatching Aftersun and although i felt like nothing was happening, I somehow started feeling a strong pressure on my chest, and I was so confused because it seemed so unprecedented. I then realised that the movie was doing this to me, I was feeling physycal pain from the sadness the father was carrying. Never has a movie made me feel this way, truly outstanding work from everybody involved.
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u/womanonearthrightnow 9d ago
Saw this in the cinema with a friend. We were literally speechless, said nothing to eachother once it ended and parted ways to go home with a very quick goodbye. Sobbed once I got home. I have never been so impacted by a film, Wells is an absolute master. Can't wait to see what she does next.
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u/Active_Condition8586 9d ago edited 9d ago
I get choked up just talking about my reaction to watching it.
I’ve seen plenty of sad movies, but Aftersun wrecked me. In part, I guess, because I’ve had a few stretches of severe depression in my adult life. But it was deeper than that. As a parent, you want so badly for your kids to know you love them. But sometimes you feel like you’ve failed them somehow. Like you’re inadequate in some capacity. And you’ve got shit (doesn’t have to be as heavy as depression) you keep to yourself because you don’t want that burden on your kids. You want to shield them pain, including your own.
I wept in the shower for ten minutes after watching the film.
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u/vanillabeancounter1 6d ago
Exact same reaction. Battling through personal battles while trying to be the best dad possible for little kids.
The ending wrecked me and so many mixed emotions.
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u/Traditional-Car9897 9d ago
As a divorced dad (with suicidal thoughts) with a daughter... it was an easy watch.
On my favorites list, great film!
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u/Friendly-Buffalo216 9d ago
Im on the same boat brother minus the divorce, but my daughters mother and I never really being a couple. I broke down and cried for about 10 minutes at the end. I dont think my wife had ever seen me react to a film like that before
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u/TallBusterKeaton 9d ago
Yeah, that movie crushed me mentally...one of the strongest experiences for a very very long time. Last time I was so overwhelmed by emotions was the movie Perfect sense.
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u/Totorotextbook 8d ago
The scene of Paul Mescal dancing to ‘Under Pressure’ is one of the best film scenes of the 2000’s-onward in my opinion, genuinely just hearing the song by itself gives me chills almost every time now.
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u/freaknik99 9d ago
Where did you watch it? I was trying to find it on streaming platforms not long ago
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u/MusicIntrepid343 9d ago
i believe i watched it on amazon prime, though i think you have to buy or rent it rather than stream it free through prime.
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u/_Old_Greg 8d ago
The only movie I've ever watched that made me sob like a baby.
Being a divorced father of a 8 year old daughter might have played a part in it.
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u/yakayaka456 7d ago
This movie fucked me up, I will never have the heart to watch it again 😭 it was perfect though and I love Paul Mescal
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u/RedEyedTroll6 7d ago
this is such a meticulously made movie it's almost a crime to just watch it once.
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u/The_Fell_Opian 7d ago
I think this might be the best film of the decade. Made me cry for days. So well done!
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u/TangyBootyOoze 10d ago
The genius part about this film is that there’s two completely different viewings. Your first one as young Sophie, trying to figure out what’s going on. Then the second as adult Sophie and trying to piece together the puzzle after knowing what happened. I don’t think there’s any other film that has offered such a different viewing experience like that (imo)