Filmspotting Aftersun Review (Archive)
Jan 14, 2026
Discover the emotional depth of a film that took the festival circuit by storm. The hosts delve into how its unique structure amplifies the story's impact, with visual motifs reflecting fractured memories. They commend the stunning performances of Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio, highlighting a poignant scene about exhaustion. Insightful critiques of the film's marketing reveal the power of ambiguity in viewer experience. Overall, this review captures the subtle heartbreak wrapped in the film's engaging tone.
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Form Mirrors Memory
- Charlotte Wells constructs After Sun so memories and filmmaking mirror each other, making the film feel like an act of personal reckoning.
- The film's structure and precision let its emotional power arrive deceptively and cumulatively rather than by force.
Multiple Viewpoints Create Emotional Clarity
- After Sun blends multiple vantage points: adult Sophie's footage, objective third-person scenes, and young Sophie's POV inserts.
- Editor Blair McClendon's timing of shifts is crucial to the film's emotional effects and clarity.
Small Motions Convey Fragility
- Wells renders motion via small details—hands, birds, rewinding footage—so memory feels active and fragile.
- The Polaroid that never fully develops becomes a visual metaphor for an unfinished relationship and identity.
