Aftersun

Aftersun is a 2022 coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Charlotte Wells in her feature debut. The film follows a father-daughter holiday at a Turkish resort, exploring memory, time, and emotional distance. It has been widely acclaimed for its intimate storytelling and performances, especially by Paul Mescal.

Key facts

  • Release year: 2022

  • Director: Charlotte Wells

  • Starring: Paul Mescal, Frankie Corio, Celia Rowlson-Hall

  • Genre: Drama

  • Notable recognition: Academy Award nomination for Best Actor (Mescal, 2023)

Plot and Themes

Set in the late 1990s, Aftersun centers on 11-year-old Sophie and her young father Calum as they spend a summer vacation together at a Turkish resort. The film unfolds through Sophie’s adult recollections of the trip, blending nostalgia with a deeper awareness of her father’s inner struggles. Themes of memory, depression, and parent–child bonds drive the film’s emotional resonance.

Production and Style

The film was produced by A24 and BBC Film, with cinematography by Gregory Oke. Wells uses a mix of handheld camerawork and miniDV footage to evoke the texture of remembered moments. Its restrained visual style and fragmented editing mirror the imperfect reconstruction of memory.

Reception and Impact

Aftersun premiered at the Cannes Film Festival (Critics’ Week) to widespread acclaim. Critics praised Wells’s direction and Mescal’s nuanced performance, calling it one of the decade’s most affecting depictions of parenthood and mental health. The film appeared on numerous critics’ top-ten lists for 2022 and established Wells as a major new voice in independent cinema.