Aftersun

Writer-director Charlotte Wells reflects on childhood and family in an astonishingly nuanced debut feature starring Paul Mescal in his Oscar-nominated role.

Eleven-year-old Sophie and her father, Calum, vacation at a Turkish beach resort in the late 1990s. They swim, play pool, and enjoy each other’s company; they’re partners in crime. Calum is the best version of himself when he is with Sophie. Sophie feels like anything is possible when Calum is around. As they enjoy their time together, layers of melancholy and mystery ripple through Calum’s behavior.

Twenty years later, the memories take on new meaning as Sophie tries to reconcile the father she knew with the man she didn’t.

Written and directed by Charlotte Wells, Aftersun explores how we may never truly understand the complex interior lives of the ones we love.