I think I’m not the only one who was extremely wary when this movie came out. But I think it would have felt worse for those who had read the actual book before the entire After series came out. I won’t go into the details of how a lot of us weren’t satisfied when we figured out how the movie failed to portray the level of intensity and emotion that was packed in the book; from After(2019), to After We Collided(2020), to After We Fell(2021), and to After Ever Happy. (2022)
Now, I present to you what could possibly be the last of the After Series,
After Everything (2023)
A lot of us may still remember how After Ever Happy ended which was with Tessa Young breaking up with Hardin Scott after she discovered that he had been secretly making a book about their lives from the very first kiss they had and how he went on to publish and that too without her consent. Everything begins with a wrecked Hardin who is still reeling in despair after the breakup and a Tessa who firmly advises him to move on since she’s done so already.
Hardin is already an established author but since he’s no longer with his muse, he faces difficulties coming up with a second book. His Publishing Agency is at his throat and makes him understand how quickly he could dissipate into nonexistence as a writer if he fails to come up with another book soon. Hardin, at the prompting of his Mom, travels to Portugal as a way of getting himself together and making amends with someone he’s grievously hurt in the past.
This way of making amends allows us to meet Natalie. A lady whose encounter brought about a pivotal change in the course of her life. Hardin seeks to right the wrongs he’s done to Natalie and even though in the way that is only customary to Hardin Scott, he plunges into his usual feats of self-destruction, but a rather timely intervention from his father, Vance, he finally realises how wrong he’s going about everything and decides to put in the work.
The movie spirals into a productive feat for Hardin as he finally decides to rid himself of his previous vices and from there, it seems there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for him which had been continuously dark for almost the entire duration of the series. He portrays the real meaning of fixing the hurt and becoming a better him. Now whether or not Tessa appreciates the work he’s put in and is willing to get back despite the hurt she feels is left for my readers to find out.
My Review and Rating
It was quite clear that After Everything focused almost solely on Hardin. His self-discovery and his journey to self-improvement. I would honestly have loved to see more scenes of Tessa but I realize that the director featuring them in more scenes together may just create more chaos, since as it’s customary to Hardin and Tessa, they rarely stay happy together for long.
Beyond what seemed like a little piece missing to make it an exceptional movie, there was a distinct observation, at least by me, that the movie was rushed. Like they knew people were already weary and couldn’t stand one more After movie, so they decided to tie all loose ends in 90 minutes. I’m not quite sure if they accurately achieved that. But for the most part, it was satisfactory enough.
As much as I’ll miss the whirlpool that was Hardin and Tessa’s relationship, I’m glad to see it end. The element of flashback was employed a lot in the movie and even though it’s necessary for us to feel the full gravity of everything that characterized their relationship, it still felt like a way to fill in the time. But beyond everything, the After series was a beautiful tale and if this is truly the end, I’m happy to have been on this virtual joinery with them. I give After Everything a 4.2 out of 5 stars.
For everyone who wants to see how the unique lives of Hardin and Tessa end, you don’t want to miss this.
All images above are from the movie screenshots.
