BEYOND THE SMILES LIES THE SILENCE OF A SOUL: “AFTERSUN” – WHEN MEMORIES CAN BLEED
Within Paul Mescal’s impressive acting career—from his tear-jerking portrayal of Connell Waldron in Normal People to his turn as William Shakespeare in Hamnet—fans have always held a special place for one artistic pinnacle: his role as Calum Patterson in the 2022 film Aftersun. This is not only Mescal’s finest performance to date but also a monumental milestone, marking the arrival of one of the most emotionally resonant and haunting cinematic works of this decade.
A Deeply Autobiographical Masterpiece
Aftersun mar
ks the directorial debut of Charlotte Wells. Through her subtle and authentic storytelling, Wells crafted a narrative she describes as “emotionally autobiographical.” The film revolves around a holiday shared by a young father, Calum Patterson (Paul Mescal), and his 11-year-old daughter, Sophie (Frankie Corio). Amid the fading beauty of a vacation resort, Calum quietly struggles with intense bouts of depression while desperately trying to cherish his final moments of happiness with his young daughter.
A defining feature that gives Aftersun its profound depth is its cinematography. Director Wells utilized 35mm cameras for portions of the film, creating the visual effect of vintage home footage. This choice is more than just an aesthetic preference; it serves as the key for the adult Sophie to piece together fragments of memories from that final trip with her father.
When Art Touches the Heart
The success of Aftersun is evidenced by its 121 nominations and 33 prestigious awards. Paul Mescal himself earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actor—a well-deserved recognition, though the award ultimately went to Brendan Fraser that year.
The film’s synopsis, as described by A24 Films, reads: “At a fading vacation resort, 11-year-old Sophie treasures rare time together with her loving and idealistic father, Calum (Paul Mescal). As a world of adolescence creeps into view, beyond her eye Calum struggles under the weight of life outside of fatherhood. Twenty years later, Sophie’s tender recollections of their last holiday become a powerful and heartrending portrait of their relationship, as she tries to reconcile the father she knew with the man she didn’t, in Charlotte Wells’ superb and searingly emotional debut film.”
Resonating with Audiences and Critics
The appeal of Aftersun lies not only in its accolades but in its profound connection with viewers. Many have admitted to experiencing intense emotional aftershocks. One fan shared their thoughts on social media: “In the end, this film is real cinema and reminds me very much of French cinema. It is accomplished and it is profoundly sad and moving.”
Another viewer emphasized the depth of the work: “Like the very best art, writer/director Charlotte Wells’s film MUST be seen more than once to be appreciated, fully felt and understood. Like the fragmented family it depicts, the film requires of its viewer connection, engagement, commitment.”
The film is so haunting that many report sitting in silence long after the screen turns black. One viewer wrote: “Aftersun is a slow build to a climax that left me openly weeping, to the point that I had to sit in the theatre for a bit after the end credits were over just to compose myself.” Upon reflection, another viewer noted: “Aftersun is a film that I wasn’t sure I understood when the credits started rolling. Then, as I sat and thought about everything I had seen, I came to believe more and more that it’s kind of genius.”
Renowned critic Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian awarded the film a perfect five-star rating, praising it as a subtle and complex exploration of post-divorce parenthood, while also hailing young Frankie Corio’s performance as a revelation.
Now Streaming on Netflix
In addition to Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio, the film features Celia Rowlson-Hall as the adult Sophie, alongside a talented supporting cast including Sally Messham, Spike Fearn, Harry Perdios, and Brooklyn Toulson. The arrival of Aftersun on Netflix is wonderful news for those seeking a profound cinematic experience this weekend. It is a “treasured” masterpiece that any true film lover should take the time to feel and understand.
