Aftersun (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Aftersun is a 2022 drama directed by Charlotte Wells, starring Frankie Corio as Sophie, Celia Rowlson-Hall and Paul Mescal. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $8.9 million worldwide. It won 3 awards from 15 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 95 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- Charlotte Wells
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- A24
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Aftersun About?
The premise of Aftersun without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
During a vacation at a Turkish coastal resort, eleven-year-old Sophie shares precious time with her charismatic and sometimes enigmatic father, Calum, portrayed by Paul Mescal. As Sophie navigates the cusp of adolescence, Calum’s youthful optimism clashes with the challenges of adulthood. Twenty years later, Sophie reflects on those cherished memories, creating a bittersweet and emotionally resonant portrait of their relationship and the complexities of the man she thought she knew.
Aftersun Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- father daughter relationship
- vacation
- hotel
- depression
- home video
- young father
- memory
- video camera
- despair
- 1990s
- full rear nudity male
- male rear nudity
+38 more Show fewer
- lesbian
- gay kiss
- karaoke
- repeated scene
- arm cast
- playing pool
- camcorder
- home movie
- scottish
- bracelet
- father's birthday
- postcard
- boy
- mud bath
- male nudity
- first kiss
- drunkenness
- turkey the country
- turkish rug
- written by director
- bare chested male
- scotsman
- 11 year old
- 11 year old girl
- teenage boy
- swimming pool
- rug merchant
- scuba diving
- dancing the macarena
- eavesdropping
- water polo
- childhood memory
- hotel room
- pay phone
- singing for he's a jolly good fellow
- implied death of character
- father daughter dance
- handsome man
Aftersun Cast & Characters
Frankie Corio leads the cast as Sophie, with Celia Rowlson-Hall as Adult Sophie and Paul Mescal as Calum. Directed by Charlotte Wells; 6 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Charlotte Wells
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Frankie Corio as Sophie -
Celia Rowlson-Hall as Adult Sophie -
Paul Mescal as Calum - Brooklyn Toulson as Michael
Also Starring in Aftersun
· 2 more- Sally Messham Belinda
- Harry Perdios Toby
More from Charlotte Wells
More films directed by Charlotte Wells: Blue Christmas, Laps and Tuesday.
Aftersun Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Aftersun 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 95 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 86/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).
Aftersun Echo Score Breakdown
Aftersun emerges as a nuanced, emotionally resonant film that balances delicate direction with strong performances. Critics and viewers alike highlight its subtle storytelling, striking cinematography, and the lingering impact of its themes of memory and loss. While the deliberate pacing and ambiguous narrative may challenge some audiences, the film’s craftsmanship and heartfelt acting foster a lasting impression. Overall, the work stands as a compelling debut that rewards attentive viewing.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 90
In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates meticulous direction and striking visual composition. Critics commend its understated yet adventurous style, and users note the gorgeous cinematography and careful editing. The production design supports the intimate tone while the soundscape complements the mood. These elements collectively reinforce the film’s aesthetic credibility, resulting in a strong artistic execution.
- Character & Emotion 88
Character and emotional depth are central strengths, driven by nuanced performances from Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio. Both critics and audiences describe the portrayals as subtle, natural, and emotionally resonant, allowing the father‑daughter relationship to feel authentic. The chemistry between the leads enhances the film’s emotional core, creating a believable and affecting connection that anchors the narrative.
- Story & Flow 70
The story’s structure relies on measured pacing and a fragmented recollection of events, which some reviewers find purposeful while others view it as slow or lacking conflict. Critics appreciate the originality of the implied narrative, yet several users mention a desire for clearer plot momentum. Consequently, the storytelling is seen as artistically daring but uneven in engagement.
- Sensory Experience 85
Sensory experience receives high marks for its restrained yet effective use of music, sound design, and visual tone. Reviewers highlight the careful selection of period songs, understated score, and the film’s soft color palette, all of which reinforce its reflective atmosphere. The cohesive sensory language deepens immersion without overwhelming the intimate narrative.
- Rewatch Factor 80
Rewatch potential is bolstered by the film’s lingering emotional resonance and layered details that reward repeat viewings. Critics note the lasting poignancy and the film’s capacity to stay with audiences after the credits. Although its slow pace may deter casual revisits, the nuanced performances and subtle storytelling encourage viewers to return for deeper appreciation.
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IMDb 7.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 95% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 82%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 95 Metascore
User score 8.0
See on Metacritic -
Letterboxd 4.2 /5
90K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 2.7 /5
See on Movie Insider
Aftersun Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Aftersun from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
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.
Full summary
The whole story of Aftersun, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Aftersun Box Office
Aftersun grossed $8.9 million worldwide. $1.7 million came from the US and Canada and $7.2 million (81%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$8.9M
- US & Canada
- $1.7M
- International
- $7.2M
Aftersun Awards & Nominations
Aftersun won 3 awards from 15 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the Spirit Awards 2023, with 1 win from 5 nominations.
3 wins15 nominations6 ceremonies
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Gaudí Awards 2024 1 nomination- Nominated Best European Film
-
Spirit Awards 2023 1 win · 5 nominations- Won Best First Feature
- Nominated Best Breakthrough Performance – Frankie Corio
- Nominated Best Cinematography
- Nominated Best Editing
- Nominated Best Lead Performance – Paul Mescal
-
BAFTA 2023 1 win · 4 nominations- Won Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer – Charlotte Wells
- Nominated Best Actor in a Leading Role – Paul Mescal
- Nominated Best Casting
- Nominated Outstanding British Film – Charlotte Wells
-
DGA Awards 2023 1 win · 1 nomination- Won First-Time Feature Film – Charlotte Wells
Show all 6 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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Critics' Choice 2023 3 nominations- Nominated Best Actor – Paul Mescal
- Nominated Best Original Screenplay – Charlotte Wells
- Nominated Best Young Actor/Actress – Frankie Corio
-
Oscars 2023 1 nomination- Nominated Actor in a Leading Role – Paul Mescal
Aftersun Trailers & Videos
19 videos: 3 trailers, 7 clips and 9 featurettes.
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Trailer Official Trailer #2
- Clip Official Clip
- Clip Official Preview
How Well Do You Know Aftersun?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What does Sophie use to document their holiday?
Aftersun Also Known As
23 alternative titles, including “Poslije sunca” and “Akharei Ha'Shemesh”.
- Also known as
-
- Poslije sunca
- Akharei Ha'Shemesh
- Güneş Sonrası
- 애프터썬
- 日麗追憶
- 日麗
- کرم پس از آفتاب
- アフターサン
- 晒后假日
- Солнце моё
- بعد الشمس
- Hoàng Hôn Buông Xuống
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- Po soncu
- אחרי השמש
- Після сонця
- Volt egyszer egy nyár
- Aftersun - päivämme auringossa
- อยากให้อยู่นานกว่านี้, aftersun/アフターサン
- След слънце
- Sous le soleil
- Po saulės
- Pēc saules
- Päikesepõletus
Seen Aftersun?
Movies Like Aftersun
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Sunbeat, Goodbye, Father and Love After Love.
Aftersun FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Aftersun, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Aftersun?
Aftersun runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was Aftersun released?
Aftersun was released on October 21, 2022.
Who directed Aftersun?
Aftersun was directed by Charlotte Wells.
More films by Charlotte Wells Who is in the cast of Aftersun?
Aftersun stars Frankie Corio as Sophie, Celia Rowlson-Hall as Adult Sophie and Paul Mescal as Calum, among 6 credited actors.
How much did Aftersun make at the box office?
Aftersun grossed $8.9 million worldwide ($1.7 million domestic, $7.2 million international).
How is Aftersun rated?
Aftersun has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 95 on Metacritic and 4.2/5 on Letterboxd.
What awards did Aftersun win?
Aftersun won 3 awards from 15 nominations, including Best First Feature at the Spirit Awards 2023.
Does Aftersun have a post-credit scene?
No. Aftersun has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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