Is Aftersun Based on a True Story? Ending Explained
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Mar 23, 2023
Aftersun wiki
Charlotte Wells wrote and directed the acclaimed coming-of-age drama film Aftersun, which stars Paul Mescal, Frankie Corio, and Celia Rowlson-Hall. The movie, set in the late 1990s, follows 11-year-old Sophie and her father on vacation at a Turkish resort, just before his 31st birthday. A24 released the film in the US on October 21, 2022, while Mubi released it in the UK on November 18, 2022. Critics praised Wells' direction and screenplay, as well as the performances of Mescal and Corio, with the former earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Aftersun was also recognized as one of the best films of 2022 by the National Board of Review and was awarded the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer at the 76th BAFTA Awards. Additionally, it claimed the top spot on Sight and Sound's poll for the best films of the year.
Is Aftersun Based on a True Story?
In an interview with W magazine, Director Wells revealed that Aftersun draws from her own childhood and relationship with her father in an "emotionally autobiographical" way. She initially used her personal memories to create the framework for the script, but as the film progressed, it evolved into something new that was influenced by various people and sources. The characters, although inspired by her own experiences, were shaped by different fictional and non-fictional elements. As the story developed, it diverged from its origins and allowed Wells to express herself in a way that felt exposed, but ultimately transformed into its own unique creation.
Is Aftersun a Real Story?
Charlotte Wells’ “Aftersun” has a dreamlike quality that evokes memories that are almost slipping away. Wells based the film partly on her own life, drawing from old photos of summer holidays she’d taken with her father. The story follows a father and daughter on a trip to a Turkish resort, struggling to connect after a messy divorce. The film frames the story with scenes of an older Sophie poring over videos from that vacation to connect with memories of the time spent with her father. While the film operates on multiple levels, sometimes shown from an adult Sophie’s point of view and sometimes from the perspective of a younger Sophie, Wells knew she’d need to let go of that heady approach and let her actors lead the way in some scenes. Collaborating with Mescal and Corio helped Wells discover who the characters were and give them emotional anchors. The filmmaker is grateful for the collaborative spirit on set, which forced her to bring the story back to the characters and the present moment.
“Except I failed,” Wells says of “Aftersun” with a wry smile, speaking via Zoom. “I cast two people who are as close to me and my dad as you can get. But it was a process of discovery. I think that’s what I most took away from [the casting] process—how much was revealed to me about my own intentions and the way my own subconscious fought against the decisions I was consciously trying to make.”
Aftersun Ending Explained
After viewing Aftersun at the Chicago International Film Festival in October 2022, I was haunted by the movie's quiet devastation. The ending was particularly powerful, conveying the weight of memories, loss, and mental health issues without needing to shout. It is one of the most profound films of 2022, leaving a lasting emotional impact on viewers.
The final scene shows Sophie and Calum enjoying their last night of vacation with ice cream and dancing to Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure." Adult Sophie watches footage of her father dancing at a rave, but she can't get his attention. She holds onto him as the film flashes between child Sophie holding her father and dancing. However, adult Sophie loses her grip, and her father falls away before she transforms into a child.
The scene then cuts to Calum recording Sophie as she boards a plane to return home to Edinburgh and be with her mother. The film freezes on a shot of young Sophie waving goodbye to her father as he walks away, ending the film on a poignant and somber note.
Aftersun Review
In the opening scene of Charlotte Wells' poignant debut feature "Aftersun," an 11-year-old girl is shown sleeping soundly while her father, Calum (played by Paul Mescal), attempts to light a cigarette on the balcony outside their room. He is hindered by the cast on his right arm but eventually succeeds, and he starts to move his arms in a slow, flowing motion, resembling Tai Chi exercises. The camera doesn't move closer, and barriers separate the audience from Calum, adding to the sense of isolation he's experiencing in this moment of solitude. The rhythmic breathing of his sleeping daughter provides a backdrop for his movements, creating an eerie atmosphere.
This scene raises questions about Calum's character and motivations, as he remains somewhat mysterious throughout the film. This may be due to the fact that Sophie (Frankie Corio) is still a child and still deeply connected to her father, although she is beginning to assert her own independence. There's an underlying unease in the scene, despite the fact that the father and daughter are on a vacation and having a generally good time. While there is occasional tension between them, it is not overly toxic or traumatic. However, the film explores the emotional depths of their relationship, even if they are not always explicit in the dialogue. Sophie is perceptive and can sense her father's anxiety, even if she can't articulate it. Nonetheless, she remains resilient and can still enjoy herself despite the underlying tensions. "Aftersun" portrays this multi-layered consciousness with sensitivity and patience, capturing the subtle rhythms of their relationship through careful editing and filmmaking choices.
Is Aftersun Based on a True Story - FAQs
"Aftersun" is a movie about a father-daughter vacation at a cheap resort in Turkey, and the shifting dynamics of their relationship as the daughter grows older and begins to assert her own identity.
"Aftersun" was directed by Charlotte Wells.
"Aftersun" was released in 2022.
"Aftersun" stars Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio.