Sometime in the 1990’s eleven year old Sophie (Frankie Corio) went on holiday with her father Calum (Paul Mescal) to Turkey. Aftersun is a recollection of that holiday as Sophie’s memories blur at the edges of what she remembers and her interpretations of events. 

Aftersun is a stunning achievement from debut feature writer/director Charlotte Wells. The plot is simple. A father and daughter spend a holiday together in Turkey. There are many elements to this simple story that we need to interpret from what we are shown and told. It is clearly the 1990’s based on the use of pay phones and the music of the time. Sophie lives with her mum and sees her dad occasionally rather than regularly. Sophie appears to be remembering these events at the same age that her father was at the time of the holiday and they perhaps tell the story of the final time she saw her father. The way these story strands are pieced together in a hazy, woozy manner that perfectly represent the way a memory can blur between what happened and how you remember it happening is superb. 

The relationship between Calum and Sophie is fascinating and beautiful. The love between them is vividly drawn but the challenging moments between people who love each other are unflinchingly shown as well. Sophie challenges her father’s offers of presents that she knows he cannot afford. Whilst Calum fights an underlying sadness that occasionally bubbles up and causes him to emotionally disconnect from Sophie. Something that results in him instantly hating himself more and enveloping him in guilt. 

There are some really fascinating film making decisions that add layers to the experience as well. Some scenes are seen again from a different viewpoint and the content feels slightly different than before. The result again makes you question if the memory is accurate or clouded by the events and years since. Perhaps most fascinating though is the use of a nightclub that Calum and the older Sophie can occasionally be glimpsed in. Something that features perhaps the best use of a Queen song in any film to date. 

The acting talent of Corio and Mescal is also absolutely immense. Personally I have seen neither before and I am at a loss to describe just how brilliant Mescal is. 

As you can tell I loved this film and wholeheartedly recommend it.