After Everything
Plot
As Hardin navigates the picturesque streets of Lisbon, he is consumed by regret and longing for his former lover, Tessa. His writer's block has become a metaphor for the emotional turmoil that has taken up residence in his heart. The breakup with Tessa had left him reeling, and his desire to win her back becomes an all-consuming force. In his quest to redeem himself, Hardin seeks out Ana, the woman he had wronged in the past. His journey takes him down memory lane as he confronts the mistakes of his youth and grapples with the consequences of his actions. As he delves deeper into his own psyche, Hardin begins to unravel the tangled threads of his relationships, including the complicated bond he shares with Tessa. In Portugal, Hardin finds solace in the city's vibrant culture and its people. He becomes fast friends with Marco, a charming local who introduces him to the beauty and passion of Portuguese life. Through these new connections, Hardin is forced to confront the harsh realities of his own selfishness and the harm he has caused. As Hardin struggles to come to terms with his past and present, he begins to see Tessa in a new light. His love for her remains unwavering, but he also realizes that winning her back may require more than just words – it will demand a fundamental shift in his own character. Will Hardin be able to reconcile his inner demons and prove himself worthy of Tessa's forgiveness? Or will the ghosts of his past continue to haunt him, threatening to destroy any chance at redemption or happiness? Through its poignant portrayal of love, loss, and self-discovery, After Everything presents a powerful exploration of the human condition. With its lush settings, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes, this film is sure to captivate audiences and leave them pondering the complexities of the heart.
Reviews
Brielle
"After you, there is no 'after.'" Reaching its fifth installment, the series, apart from the relatively fresh first film, has mostly followed a predictable pattern: "Remembering the Past," "Tearful Recovery," and "Reconciliation." Each time, it feels like it should end, yet they somehow keep going. I'm not sure what I'm expecting anymore, but I'm still watching, drawn in by Hero Fiennes Tiffin's inexplicable charm (Why not star in a popular BL adaptation instead? :-( ). The freshest addition in this installment is Mimi Keene's appearance. I thought she was gorgeous in "Sex Education," and here, I feel like she should just be the female lead instead. The Easter egg is that it actually mentions the book...
Aleah
2023-11-26: Finally over, right? After all this drama, this ending is the fourth installment's ending, and it's obvious the male lead pushed for this one himself. Well, it's just as awful and repulsive as the movies themselves. Nathalie, though, is great. Thank goodness the male lead rejected her; he doesn't deserve someone so good.
Valentina
I'm here for the visuals and chemistry between the leads, not a lukewarm redemption arc for the male protagonist. Stop trying to force what you're clearly not good at.
Jacqueline
It's getting harder and harder to find new ways to criticize this series. The male lead spends most of the movie flirting with other girls, and then in the final twenty minutes at a friend's wedding, he runs into the female lead from the first four movies. After exchanging barely ten words, the writers or directors suddenly remember that the selling point of this series is the male and female leads making out while fully clothed to a catchy song. So, they just copy and paste that formula at the end. The movie concludes with the leads getting married and having kids, so this time, surely, there won't be another sequel, right?!
