Aftersun 2022

In the bustling backdrop of the late 1990s, we are introduced to an 11-year-old girl named Sophie Patterson, who, accompanied by her 30-year-old father, Calum (Paul Mescal), embarks on a picturesque holiday to a Turkish resort. Following the amicable separation of her parents—her father migrating to London after the split—this trip serves as both a bonding experience and a poignant exploration of their emotional landscapes. Sophie, fully equipped with her MiniDV camera, captures their vacation memories, intertwining her recordings throughout the film to create an authentic glimpse into her youthful perspective.

As the holiday progresses, Sophie finds herself mingling with various English tourists, including a charming boy named Michael (Brooklyn Toulson), with whom she shares lighthearted moments, often in the form of arcade games. However, beneath the surface of merriment lies Calum’s struggle with deeper issues. He grapples with his own depression, anxiety, and internal conflicts, striving to conceal his vulnerabilities behind a mask of parental care. In his solitude, we observe him exploring remedies like Tai Chi and self-help literature, alongside a habit of smoking he shrouds from Sophie.

A pivotal moment occurs during their scuba diving adventure when Sophie inadvertently loses her valuable scuba mask. While Calum attempts to project indifference, Sophie quickly discerns his true feelings, reassuring him that she understands the mask’s worth. His unexpected admission to the diving instructor—revealing his astonishment at reaching the age of 30—suggests a melancholy depth to his character.

Later, in a quaint rug shop, Sophie witnesses a moment of hesitation in Calum, as he wrestles with the expense of a rug she admires. Although he initially refrains from making the purchase, he later returns alone to buy it, which speaks volumes about his desires and insecurities as a father.

Their holiday also features a karaoke night that is steeped in tension; Sophie eagerly wishes to perform a duet, but Calum declines, leading her to bravely take the stage solo with “Losing My Religion.” This act not only serves as a demonstration of Sophie’s burgeoning independence but also underscores her yearning for connection. The moment takes a turn as she finds herself neglected by Calum, subsequently choosing to socialize with other tourists. An unexpected encounter with Michael results in a sweet kiss beside the pool, painting a moment of youthful innocence and burgeoning romance.

However, Calum’s emotional state becomes more apparent as he seeks solace in the ocean, and the unsettling atmosphere culminates in a touching scene where Sophie finds him asleep, covering him tenderly with a sheet. The following day witnesses a reconciliation during their visit to the mud baths, where Calum, in a rare moment of vulnerability, apologizes for his previous negligence. A delightful surprise follows as Sophie arranges for fellow tourists to serenade him with “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” a gesture that elicits a stoic response from him, indicating both pride and sorrow.

As their holiday reaches its climax, Calum and Sophie share a poignant dance to “Under Pressure,” encapsulating the warmth and fragility of their bond. Yet, the bittersweet farewell unfolds the next morning at the airport, where Calum watches Sophie depart, their goodbye laden with unspoken emotions.

Fast forward to the present, and Sophie is now an adult, living with her wife and young child, the rug that Calum once bought a comforting presence by their bedside. As she delves into the nostalgic footage from their holiday in Turkey, she reflects on the intricate tapestry of her past. The narrative weaves in abstract, dreamlike sequences, showcasing adult Sophie in a crowded rave, desperately seeking a connection with her father. Caught in flashes of vibrant lights, she experiences fleeting moments with Calum, only to find him dissolving from her grasp, a metaphor for the elusive nature of memory and loss.

In the resonant conclusion, as Calum packs away the video camera, we witness his departure down the airport hallway in a poignant farewell, symbolic of both an ending and a continuum of their enduring connection—a cycle that forever reverberates through the echoes of their shared experiences.