Aftersun, a new film from writer and director Charlotte Wells, has been praised for its ambiguity. The film stars Paul Mescal as the father and daughter. Sophie is played by newcomer Frankie Corio. The film leaves small hints about its protagonist’s eventual fate but leaves things up to the audience to fill in. Wells spoke with The Hollywood Reporter regarding her new film, which she describes as a “long slow burn.”

Wells explains,

Wells has garnered a reputation for her devotion to an element of mystery. However, she keeps a hard line when over-explaining Aftersun’s open ending, resisting the urge to offer viewers the answers they often seek.

“I wanted to create a film that was more like real life, where things happen gradually, and not everything is wrapped up neatly in the end. I wanted to capture the sense of time passing and the way that memories can fade and change over time.”

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“I will never deny somebody’s experience of the film. I think the loss at the end resonates just as deeply for everyone, regardless of how you’re filling in the gaps in the story.”

Aftersun tells the story of a father-daughter vacation and is told through an adult Sophie’s memories — memories that, by the final frame, attempt to reconcile with the fact that it was the last time she saw her father.

Aftersun’s director Wells was the recipient of the Best Director award at The Critics Choice Awards.

Aftersun Depicts Isolation Through Music and Location

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In A24’s Aftersun, the story of a father-daughter vacation is set on a Turkish island; this remote location plays an essential role in the film’s overall ambiance and atmosphere. The setting, captured by cinematographer Gregory Oke, helps to create a sense of isolation that shapes the characters’ emotions.

The use of music in Aftersun is a critical element in the storytelling process. It sets the tone and atmosphere of the story as it immerses the audience in the character’s emotions. According to Wells, she chose songs that connected to the characters and reflected their emotional journey. Some of the songs that were featured in the movie are: “The Great Unknown by Rob Thomas, “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi, “Love is a Losing Game” by Amy Winehouse, “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton, “In My Veins” by Andrew Belle, and “I’m Not Afraid to Die” by The Paper Kites.