Review of Aftersun (2022) by Tvjerry — 26 Feb 2023

Paul Mescal & Frankie Corio play father and daughter who spend a holiday together in a seaside resort (technically, this is a collection of the adult daughter's memories about her father and that trip).

During the vacation, they hang out a lot, but there's not a plot…just glimpses into their relationship and indications that he has deep issues that aren't being addressed. Writer/director Charlotte Wells has a unique style that's both oblique and poetic, leaving many of their details to the imagination, while creating some visually interesting arrangements.

Mescal and Corio have a comfortable natural chemistry that renders their characters real and compelling. This film is in the "hang" category that features people hanging out without propelling a plot…only episodes where they spend fun time together and awkward times alone.

While I appreciate the investigation into this relationship and the series of impressionistic moments without a typical narrative structure, the implicit emotional turmoil is diluted by the artistic expression.