Aftersun | 2022

Main Plot

Aftersun follows the story of Sophie, a young girl on vacation with her father, Calum, at a Turkish resort during the late 1990s. The film captures their tender and complex relationship through a series of memories and moments shared during the trip. As they enjoy their time together, subtle hints of Calum's internal struggles and emotional distance emerge, contrasting with the carefree atmosphere of the holiday. The narrative is interwoven with scenes of an adult Sophie reflecting on this pivotal vacation, trying to reconcile her cherished memories with the reality of her father's hidden turmoil. Through these reflections, the film explores the nuances of memory and the lasting impact of their time together.

Characters

• Paul Mescal plays Calum, a father who takes his daughter on a holiday in Turkey, where they bond and explore the resort together.
• Frankie Corio portrays Sophie, Calum's young daughter, who spends time with her father on vacation, engaging in various activities and making memories.
• Celia Rowlson-Hall appears as the adult Sophie, reflecting on her childhood holiday with her father and piecing together her memories.

Ending Explained

In the final act of Aftersun, adult Sophie reflects on a pivotal childhood vacation with her father, Calum, as memories and present-day emotions intertwine. The film’s closing moments blend past and present, revealing Sophie’s attempts to reconcile her loving memories with the unspoken struggles her father faced. The last scenes show young Sophie and Calum sharing a heartfelt goodbye at the airport, with Sophie capturing a final image of her father as he disappears behind the terminal doors. Intercut with this is a surreal, strobe-lit sequence where adult Sophie embraces her father in a metaphorical nightclub, symbolizing her ongoing search for understanding and connection. The film ends ambiguously, leaving Calum’s fate unresolved but suggesting he may have succumbed to his inner turmoil after the holiday. Sophie’s journey closes with a sense of longing and acceptance, as she cherishes the warmth of their time together while acknowledging the pain of loss and the complexities of memory. The ending emphasizes the enduring impact of their relationship and the bittersweet process of coming to terms with the past.