After (2019)

Directed by: Jenny Gage

Starring: Josephine Langford, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Selma Blair, Ianna Sarkis, Shane Paul McGhie, and Noah Arnold.

This film opens with a narration about how specific moments in life define a person before the story begins.

From the offset, you already know the film is about a young woman who has moved away from home to study at college and as a freshman, with a dress sense which screams naive and innocent. Tessa moves into her college dorm and meets her roommate and friend, and then shortly after this, Tessa is seen to be coming out of the shower to be met by Hardin sitting in her room, reading a book, before being ushered out of the room with her roommate in pursuit.

From this first swift meet, its obvious we would see more of Hardin, and how the sexual tension between the two becomes obvious very quickly!

This is the first instalment from the second film; After We Collided (2020), in which I watched first before watching this film, silly of me I know, but in all honesty, if you haven’t seen this film before the second, you don’t need to, as the story is easy to guess in the second film as to what has happened. However, I was shocked to know the films (and there are 5 of them in total) were based on Harry Styles Fan-Fiction, written, apparently, on Wattpad, by Anna Todd.

Upon watching this film, on Netflix, I can see why people enjoyed it and suggested I go to watch After We Collided (2020) whilst Cineworld still has their doors open, I can understand the toxicity with Tessa and Hardin’s relationship, however, as I said before, if you haven’t seen this film before the second, you don’t need to worry, as the dots are easy to connect in understanding what has happened, and if you really want to understand the background from the second film, just watch this one on Netflix afterwards.

In the review of my reaction to After We Collided, I did also enjoy this film, in the comfort of my own room, with the surround sound on, popcorn and drink to hand, I enjoyed it, but I think I enjoyed the second film just that little bit more. Still, both films are good in their own way, I just found this film too cliche for me and with the character, Tessa to be too much of your average girl next door type character, innocent and naive, reminded me too much of Fifty Shades of Grey character; Anastasia Steele, okay maybe not like her completely, but if you watch this film you will understand my reference there.

I do, however, give this a suggested film to watch in the evening or on the weekend, it is good.

I give this a 4 star rating!