Aftersun (2022)

The world is seriously going to hell if they actually crowned this the best movie of 2022
It was probably the most boring thing I saw all year

A standout piece of cinema. I first caught it at the Sundance Film Festival, and I’m still wrapping my head around it. For me, Paul Mescal gave the performance of the year.

I’ll admit there’s a certain raw warmth to it—the way information is meted out leaves plenty of room for interpretation—but on the flip side, I just can't stomach this endless self-analysis and soul-searching, especially coming from a debut film.

I remember sitting there at the end of the film just thinking—wow, this one really stings—and then I went online to check out some reviews, only to see the first line was this movie hurts. It’s pretty clear the melancholy in this thing is palpable and I wasn't just overthinking it. I'm still reeling a bit, honestly—feeling a little bit broken. But look, movies like this don't work without incredible casting, and the chemistry between Paul Mescal as the father and the sweet Frankie Corio as his daughter is just so believable. At one point, I actually thought this would have worked perfectly as a follow-up to the series Normal People.
It isn't for everyone, but it definitely hit home for me.

Steven Martin9 said:I remember sitting there at the end of the film just thinking—wow, this one really stings—and then I went online to check out some reviews, only to see the first line was this movie hurts. It’s pretty clear the melancholy in this thing is palpable and I wasn't just overthinking it. I'm still reeling a bit, honestly—feeling a little bit broken. But look, movies like this don't work without incredible casting, and the chemistry between Paul Mescal as the father and the sweet Frankie Corio as his daughter is just so believable. At one point, I actually thought this would have worked perfectly as a follow-up to the series Normal People.
It isn't for everyone, but it definitely hit home for me.

I mean, it’s basically impossible not to see Mescala as Connell—he lived in that role so much—so that point really hits home.
The chemistry between these two incredible actors is just top-tier; honestly, it felt even more intense than what we saw from Mescal before.
Such a powerful film.

Nancy Howard4 said:The world is seriously going to hell if they actually crowned this the best movie of 2022
It was probably the most boring thing I saw all year

I'm with you there. The whole thing was a slog—movie and actor included. I mean, he isn't bad, but clearly I'm blind if I'm supposed to be seeing "phenomenal" acting here.

It’s basically Lucrecia Martel meets Lost in Translation.

A brilliant look at how we can never truly—ever—know the full emotional weight our actions or even just our presence leaves on someone else.

The girl was a force, but for me, it’s that silence at the start—when he heads out to the balcony and she’s just lying there in this almost unnatural stillness. It’s such a sharp allegory for how memory works; when you try to reach back, it’s always quiet, and you end up haunted by the most mundane, unremarkable images for the rest of your life...

Honestly, hats off to them. A well-deserved, overlooked masterpiece.

I thought the movie was wonderful—really enjoyed every minute of it. I’m crossing my fingers that Mescal takes home an Oscar if Farrell doesn't

It’s been a long time—actually, since I saw Blue Is the Warmest Color—since I felt the urge to watch a movie twice in such short succession. It’s even better the second time; you catch all those directorial flourishes and subtle details that slip past you initially, and the emotional gut punch hits three times harder because you already know how the story ends.

The film is a heavy directorial masterpiece—everything just clicks perfectly.

It’s a truly great film, and I'm really curious to see what this director and her young co-star tackle next.

As for Paul Mescal, we already know he's a fantastic actor, so I'll definitely be keeping an eye on his upcoming projects.

Yeah, let's just hope she doesn't run into that whole "sophomore slump" curse after her first big breakout role.

Mescal is such a killer combo—he’s got that edgy, 80s street fighter look, yet carries this earnest, soulful energy. Honestly, I can't say I blame anyone for being obsessed with him.

I definitely need to remember this director's name and keep an eye on her future projects. Just so I don't accidentally sit through one of her films and die of pure boredom 🥱

Christian Myers said:I definitely need to remember this director's name and keep an eye on her future projects. Just so I don't accidentally sit through one of her films and die of pure boredom 🥱

Honestly, the absolute highlight of my life on this forum was the day you finally sat down and watched Aftersun 😁

Mark White11 said:Honestly, the absolute highlight of my life on this forum was the day you finally sat down and watched Aftersun 😁

Think I'm exaggerating? 😬

I’ve watched it, though I can't say I have much to show for it; perhaps I’d find more common ground with those who simply perish from sheer boredom. Maybe if I were some sort of broken, estranged father figure, the whole thing might have resonated a bit better. As it stands, I suppose it's nicely shot and the acting is decent enough—the young actress was actually quite good—but truthfully, nothing really happens. It’s just tedious.