10 Amazing Films From 2022 Nobody Is Talking About
2. Aftersun
The feature debut from Scottish writer-director Charlotte Wells, Aftersun received a tonne of acclaim on the festival circuit (earning a Jury Prize at Cannes) before releasing in theatres in November.
A tremendously touching father-daughter story, Aftersun opens with protagonist Sophie (Frankie Corio in her debut role) watching an old home video of a holiday she went on with her dad (played by Paul Mescal) when she was 11. The images evoke her memories of that time, and we’re transported back to the sunny Turkish holiday resort with them.
Mescal and Corio’s onscreen chemistry is a huge part of what makes Aftersun work. Cario’s energy constantly bounces off Mescal’s comedic charm to create a believable and heart-warming family dynamic in Well's autobiographical script. The pair's performances expertly capture the humanity behind the joyous highs and frustrating lows of the family trip, and viewers will be invested in every second of it.
Moreover, as the adult Sophie reflects on these memories, nostalgia soon gives way to a new understanding of what her father was going through at the time. By the time the credits roll, Wells has taken us through a funny, heartfelt, and tearjerking voyage into memory that we won’t soon forget.