AFTER WE FELL

US, 2021, 98 minutes, Colour.

Josephine Langford, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Louise Lombard, Chance Perdomo, Rob Estes, Arielle Kebbel, Stephen Moyer, Mira Sorvino.

Directed by Castile Landon.

This is the third film in the series based on novels by Anna Todd. It was preceded by After and then After We Collided. This present film was made in Bulgaria in 2020, back to back with a further sequel, After Ever Happy. These two films were directed by Castile Landon who also directed a fifth in the series, not based on a novel by Anna Todd, awaiting a title for the time of release.

This film takes up immediately where After We Collided finished. The focus is on the relationship between Tessa (Josephine Langford) and Hardin (Hero Fiennes Tiffin). By this stage of the films, the audience knows whether they warm to these characters or not – and each of them, good-looking in their way, of course, is a difficult character, Tessa ambitious in her work, Hardin sullen and brooding.

This film received very negative reviews – with which this reviewer concurs. It has some appeal to Young Adults, perhaps, but not for older audiences even if there is a focus on Tessa’s father and his coming to live with the couple and causing difficulties, and Hardin is in a difficult relationship with his stepfather.

So, there are the relationship difficulties, compounded by interactions with their friends – and suspicions. There are workplace issues. There are personal issues, coming to a head with Hardin deciding to go to London for a step-parent’s wedding and wanting Tessa to go with him.

Since they were making the next film at the same time, perhaps this story is just repetition and a filler.