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Romantic drama

The Aftermath (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Aftermath (2019) movie poster

The Aftermath is a 2019 romantic drama directed by James Kent, starring Keira Knightley as Rachael Morgan, Jason Clarke and Alexander Skarsgård. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $9.2 million worldwide. Critics gave it 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
worldwide gross
$9.2M
Echo Score
55
Metascore
43
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The Aftermath (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 48m (108 min)
Director
James Kent
Genres
Drama , Romance , War
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Aftermath About?

The premise of The Aftermath without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In 1946 Hamburg, amidst the devastation of postwar Germany, Rachel Morgan and her husband Lewis attempt to rebuild their lives. Their plans are complicated when they unexpectedly share their home with Karl, the previous owners' widower, and his daughter. As they navigate the challenges of shared living and the emotional scars of war, buried grief and burgeoning desires emerge, threatening the fragile peace they’re trying to create.

The Aftermath Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • post war germany
  • post world war two
  • hamburg germany
  • river elbe
  • city in ruins
  • extramarital affair
  • husband wife relationship
  • british in germany
  • based on novel
  • northern germany
  • occupied germany
  • occupied nation
+38 more
  • englishwoman abroad
  • dead son
  • englishman abroad
  • dead mother
  • architect
  • russian abroad
  • widower
  • frozen river
  • breaking through ice
  • adulterous wife
  • unfaithful wife
  • cheating wife
  • sexless marriage
  • female rear nudity
  • sex scene
  • female nudity
  • unfaithfulness
  • snowball fight
  • adultery
  • nudity
  • colonel
  • german
  • father daughter relationship
  • betrayal
  • war ruins
  • explosion
  • overhead camera shot
  • train
  • snow
  • aerial camera shot
  • looking out a train window
  • boy wears eyeglasses
  • prologue
  • snowing
  • scene during opening credits
  • street life
  • home requisition
  • refugee
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Cast & crew

The Aftermath Cast & Characters

Keira Knightley leads the cast as Rachael Morgan, with Jason Clarke as Lewis Morgan and Alexander Skarsgård as Stephen Lubert. Directed by James Kent; 17 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

The Aftermath Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Aftermath 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

55 /100

The Aftermath Echo Score Breakdown

The Aftermath delivers a mixed experience that juxtaposes striking visual work and committed performances with a story that often feels uneven and driven by melodrama. While several reviewers praised the film’s elegant staging and the actors’ nuanced efforts, many pointed to abrupt narrative shifts and a passionless central relationship. Mixed pacing and emotional distance limit its broader appeal. Ultimately, the film registers as an engaging period piece in moments but struggles to sustain momentum or depth throughout.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art direction and cinematography, the film’s visual design stands out for its carefully composed frames and elegant production details. A consistent praise centers on the film’s polished color palette and measured editing, which together create a cohesive period atmosphere. Occasional abrupt shifts in tone can undermine the sequence flow. Overall, the art direction sustains a refined visual identity despite sporadic unevenness.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, performances receive moderate acclaim for their conviction and subtlety. Several observers note Knightley and Skarsgård’s efforts to convey inner conflict, though the central romance often reads as passionless. Chemistry fluctuates, leaving the emotional connections feeling tentative. In summary, the character work shows moments of nuance but lacks consistent warmth and depth.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story coherence and flow, the narrative draws criticism for its uneven pacing and predictable developments. Several accounts highlight abrupt plot turns that feel mechanically driven rather than organic. The film’s engagement wanes when melodramatic exchanges overshadow deeper thematic exploration. Overall, the story presents intriguing historical context but struggles to maintain coherence and compelling momentum throughout.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film earns praise for its atmospheric sound design and visually cohesive style. Observers frequently commend the period-appropriate scoring and the immersive ambient effects that reinforce tension. Some find the soundtrack subdued relative to the drama’s emotional stakes, which can limit moments of heightened impact. Overall, the sensory design supports the film’s setting but occasionally underutilizes its musical potential.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch value, the film’s strong period atmosphere and certain performances invite a second viewing. However, predictable plot elements and an emotionally distant relationship can lessen its appeal over time. While some moments of visual elegance may reward revisiting, the uneven narrative momentum and lack of warmth reduce long-term engagement. Overall, the rewatch factor proves moderate and unlikely to inspire repeated enthusiasm.

Plot

The Aftermath Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Aftermath from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the bitter winter of 1945, Hamburg lies in ruins as the British occupation tries to stitch the city back together under the Allied Control Council. Rachael Morgan arrives to be with her husband, Lewis Morgan, a colonel tasked with overseeing reconstruction while facing down the shadow of continued violence from Werwolf insurgents. They settle into the requisitioned house of architect Stefan Lubert and his teenage daughter Freda Lubert, with Stefan and Freda allowed to stay in the attic. Rachael’s bitterness toward Germans—thanks to the loss of their son Michael during the Blitz—makes her initially harsh and distant toward Stefan, and she is openly rude at first.

Full summary

The whole story of The Aftermath, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Aftermath Box Office

The Aftermath grossed $9.2 million worldwide. $1.6 million came from the US and Canada and $7.6 million (82%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$9.2M

US & Canada
$1.6M
International
$7.6M
US & Canada 18% Rest of the world 82%
Videos

The Aftermath Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

THE AFTERMATH | Official Trailer | FOX Searchlight
  • Trailer THE AFTERMATH | Official Trailer | Fox Searchlight UK
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Aftermath?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the city where the story takes place?

Cars

Cars in The Aftermath

18 cars on screen, including the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 260 D W138 and the 1942 Dodge WC 51.

All 18 cars
  • 1937 Mercedes-Benz 260 D W138 in The Aftermath 1937 Mercedes-Benz 260 D W138 Main role
  • 1942 Dodge WC 51 in The Aftermath 1942 Dodge WC 51 Important role
  • 1937 Citroën 11 BN Familiale in The Aftermath 1937 Citroën 11 BN Familiale Minor role
  • 1942 Dodge WC 54 in The Aftermath 1942 Dodge WC 54 Minor role
Details

The Aftermath Also Known As

32 alternative titles, including “Coeurs ennemis” and “Viviendo con el Enemigo”.

Also known as
  • Coeurs ennemis
  • Viviendo con el Enemigo
  • 애프터매스
  • 애프터 워
  • La conseguenza
  • Cœurs ennemis
  • Последствия
  • Zraněná srdce
  • Наслідки
  • 余波
  • W domu innego
  • Niemandsland - The Aftermath
+20 more
  • El día que vendrá
  • Zranené srdcia
  • Consequências
  • אחרי המלחמה
  • 敵人妻
  • Μετά την Καταστροφή
  • 情,敵
  • Savaştan Sonra
  • Sekas
  • Egy háború margójára
  • อาฟเตอร์แมท
  • O Dia a Seguir
  • Svetimi namai
  • Posledica, შედეგი
  • După război
  • Hậu Chiến
  • モーガン夫人の秘密
  • عواقب
  • Les conseqüències
  • Posljedice

Seen The Aftermath?

FAQ

The Aftermath FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Aftermath, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Aftermath?

The Aftermath runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).

When was The Aftermath released?

The Aftermath was released on March 15, 2019.

Who directed The Aftermath?

The Aftermath was directed by James Kent.

More films by James Kent

Who is in the cast of The Aftermath?

The Aftermath stars Keira Knightley as Rachael Morgan, Jason Clarke as Lewis Morgan and Alexander Skarsgård as Stephen Lubert, among 17 credited actors.

How much did The Aftermath make at the box office?

The Aftermath grossed $9.2 million worldwide ($1.6 million domestic, $7.6 million international).

How is The Aftermath rated?

The Aftermath has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 43 on Metacritic, 64% on TMDB and 3.0/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Aftermath have a post-credit scene?

No. The Aftermath has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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