After Everything 2023

Drama

Romance

Box Office

$11M

Runtime

1 h 33 m

Language

English

Directed by

Castille Landon

Made by

Voltage Pictures

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for After Everything (2023). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Hardin finds himself grappling with the memories of Tessa, a year after their breakup, which occurred when she stumbled upon his manuscript After, detailing their tumultuous love story. While under pressure from his publisher, Katherine, to create a follow-up to his best-seller by the year’s end, he struggles with writer’s block and his feelings for Tessa.

In a predictably wild night out with Katherine and her friend, Hardin’s mind is elsewhere, as he is haunted by flashbacks of Tessa. After an excessive night of drinking, he wakes up to a stern reprimand from his mother and birth father, urging him to stop wallowing in self-pity and to find a way to move forward. Explaining that Tessa was the very essence of his being and his artistic inspiration, he is encouraged to confront his past. His mother suggests reaching out to Natalie, an old acquaintance from his childhood who is now based in Lisbon.

Taking the initiative, Hardin flies to Lisbon to reconcile with Natalie, who works in a bridal shop. Although their initial conversation is terse, they later catch up and reminisce. Hardin recalls a time when he impulsively accepted a bet to seduce her for proof during a poker game, which backfired spectacularly when the video of this encounter went viral, leading Natalie to leave for a fresh start. As they reconnect, Natalie invites him to the beach, where he confronts Sebastian, a cautious friend who ultimately leads him into a dangerous cliff diving adventure.

During a sailing trip with Natalie, Hardin opens up about his breakup with Tessa, coming to the poignant realization that both he and Natalie dealt with the fallout of public scrutiny in their private lives. However, a rift forms when Sebastian confronts Hardin over perceived flirtations, resulting in a physical altercation.

After being bailed out by his birth father, Hardin receives a valuable pep talk that sparks an epiphany: he can cherish the memory of Tessa while moving forward with his life. As he starts to clean his space, a wedding invitation from Landon, asking him to be the best man, catalyzes his decision to stay in Lisbon longer and focus on his writing.

Natalie surprises Hardin with a care package, leading to an awkward moment where they almost kiss. However, Hardin makes it clear that his heart still belongs to Tessa. Boosted by Natalie’s support, he dives back into writing and completes his new manuscript, titled Before. He seeks Natalie’s approval for her portrayal in the book and even gifts her a dream coastal home as a gesture of goodwill.

Back in America, Tessa, with Nora’s support, prepares nervously for Landon’s wedding. The reunion of Hardin and Tessa as maid of honor and best man marks a significant moment, their first encounter in over two years. During his speech, Hardin’s heartfelt emotions about missing Tessa resonate deeply, prompting a reconciliation. Their shared vulnerability culminates in an unexpected moment when Hardin proposes.

In a hopeful flash-forward, Hardin returns home with his new book, Later, under his arm, warmly greeting their daughter, while Tessa, visibly pregnant, shares a moment of joy with him, suggesting a new chapter in their lives.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of After Everything (2023) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Hardin's Heartbreak

A year after Tessa ended their relationship, Hardin is still consumed by his feelings for her. He struggles to find motivation to write, feeling lost and heartbroken without her in his life.

One year after breakup

Publisher's Pressure

Hardin's publisher, Katherine, pushes him to create a follow-up to his successful novel, necessitating inspiration before the year's end. This adds to his stress as he grapples with writer's block stemming from his unresolved feelings for Tessa.

A Night Out

Reluctantly, Hardin goes out clubbing with Katherine and her friend but finds no enjoyment in the outing. Memories of Tessa overwhelm him, leading him to drink excessively until he passes out.

Club

Family Intervention

The next day, Hardin's mother and birth father reprimand him over his drinking habits. They express concern over his inability to move on from Tessa, prompting a conversation about making peace with the past.

Restaurant

Journey to Lisbon

Hardin decides to travel to Lisbon to reconnect with Natalie, someone from his past. Aiming to make amends, he feels a glimmer of hope for moving on while tackling his writer's block.

Lisbon

Flashback to the Past

Upon meeting Natalie, Hardin recalls the history they share. He remembers the moment he seduced her to win a bet, a situation that later caused significant fallout for her.

Bridal shop

Natalie's Struggles

Natalie reveals that she moved to Lisbon to escape the backlash from the viral video Hardin's friends made. She lost her chance at college and sought a fresh start.

Beach

Cliff Diving Challenge

Hardin faces new challenges when Sebastian, wary of him, encourages him to try cliff diving. This moment serves as a reminder of facing fears and taking risks as Hardin navigates his emotions.

Cliff

A Vicious Confrontation

After flirting with another girl, Hardin is physically assaulted by Sebastian and his friends. The incident leads to his arrest, showcasing the culmination of unresolved tensions among them.

Beach

Fatherly Support

Hardin's birth father arrives to bail him out and delivers a motivational speech. He encourages Hardin to honor Tessa's memory while also advancing in his own life.

Police station

Deciding to Stay

After receiving an invitation to Landon's wedding, Hardin chooses to remain in Lisbon longer to focus on his writing. This decision reflects his commitment to working through his emotions and producing new material.

Apology from Natalie

Natalie brings Hardin a care package and apologizes for Sebastian's earlier behavior. In a moment of vulnerability, she almost kisses him, but Hardin reminds her of his unresolved feelings for Tessa.

A New Manuscript

Feeling inspired, Hardin begins writing again, completing his manuscript titled 'Before'. He seeks Natalie's opinion on it, acknowledging her part in his journey while also highlighting their shared past.

Wedding Day Reunion

Back in America, Tessa and Nora anxiously prepare for Landon's wedding. The moment Hardin and Tessa walk down the aisle together marks their first encounter in over two years.

Wedding venue

A Proposal

In a heartfelt moment after the reception, Hardin gets down on one knee and proposes to Tessa. Their mutual understanding and love come to fruition as they recognize their inevitable connection.

Flash Forward to the Future

Fast forward, Hardin returns home with his new book 'Later' in hand. He is greeted by their daughter and a visibly pregnant Tessa, symbolizing a new chapter in their lives.

Home

Characters

Explore all characters from After Everything (2023). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Hardin Scott

Hardin is a complex character defined by his intense emotions and struggles with love. Both passionate and impulsive, he often finds himself torn between his past with Tessa and his desire to move forward. His growth throughout the film shows a man learning to cope with heartbreak while also seeking redemption through writing.

💔 Heartbreak 🖋️ Writer

Tessa Young

Tessa is depicted as a strong, independent woman navigating the challenges of love and personal growth. Her relationship with Hardin has shaped her in profound ways, and she embodies resilience as she faces their tumultuous past. Throughout the film, she is shown as someone who is striving for her happiness, both for herself and her future.

💪 Strength 💖 Love

Natalie

Natalie serves as a reminder of Hardin's past mistakes and the consequences of his actions. Throughout their encounters, she reflects a sense of forgiveness and understanding while also asserting her independence after their tumultuous history. Her character illustrates the theme of overcoming adversity and the complexity of human relationships.

🌊 Fresh Start 👫 Friendship

Setting

Learn where and when After Everything (2023) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

Contemporary

The events unfold in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern relationships and the challenges of moving on from past loves. It showcases the impact of social media and viral moments in today's world, influencing the characters' lives and choices significantly.

Location

Lisbon, America

The movie takes place in Lisbon, a vibrant city known for its stunning architecture and rich history. It's a popular destination that offers beautiful beaches where characters find moments of reflection and adventure. Additionally, parts of the story unfold in America, particularly during significant life events such as weddings and family gatherings.

🌍 Locations 🏖️ Beach

Themes

Discover the main themes in After Everything (2023). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💔

Love and Loss

At its core, the film explores the themes of love and loss, focusing on Hardin's struggle to cope with his breakup with Tessa. It delves into how past relationships shape current identities and the emotional scars that linger. The characters' journeys highlight the complexity of moving on while cherishing memories.

📝

Creativity and Inspiration

The theme of creativity is prevalent as Hardin grapples with writer's block, showcasing how personal experiences fuel artistic expression. His relationship with Tessa serves as both his muse and his downfall, revealing how love can inspire and inhibit creativity. The act of writing becomes a pathway for healing and self-discovery.

⚖️

Redemption

Redemption plays a significant role as Hardin seeks to make amends for his past actions, particularly with Natalie. The film portrays his quest for forgiveness and the desire to reconstruct his life after facing the consequences of his earlier mistakes. Through this journey, he learns to embrace change and take responsibility.

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