Introduction
After We Collided is a 2020 romantic drama film directed by Roger Kumble and the film is based on the same title novel by Anna Todd. The film is a sequel to After (2019) and is the second installment in the After film series. The sequel picks up exactly where the first film left off, exploring the turbulent relationship of Tessa Young and Hardin Scott. The complex love story with numerous obstacles, betrayal, and passionate reconciliations is accompanied with intense drama, emotional turmoil, and romantic entanglements.
Having introduced the audience to the magnetic, yet volatile connection of the two leads in After (2019), After We Collided expands the story by interweaving additional characters with complex emotional story arches along self-discovery moments to add depth to the narrative. This story is of everlasting love, personal growth, toxic relationships and extraordinary power of unresolved emotions.
Plot Overview
After We Collided picks up shortly after the plot of the first film. Tessa Young, portrayed by Josephine Langford, is trying to cope with the intensely raw revelation that her relationship with Hardin Scott, played by Hero Fiennes Tiffin, might have been just a cruel bet. While heartbroken, Tessa tries to put the pieces of her life together and focuses on her internship at a publishing company. She excels at her internship and impresses her boss and colleagues with her intelligence and strong work ethic.
At the publishing firm, Tessa runs into Trevor Matthews, played by Dylan Sprouse. Sprouse’s character is a charming co-worker who bizarrely captures all the traits lacking in Hardin; he is stable, respectful and emotionally intelligent. Tessa’s newfound romantic interest with Trevor has the potential to provide her the calm and stability she so desperately needs after the tumultuous relationship with Hardin. Regardless though of Trevor’s attempts, the emotional burden from her previous relationship with Hardin remains strong.
As for Hardin, he is hunting Tessa like a predator, full of embarrassment and remorse. As he fights to control his rage, trust issues, and emotional vulnerability, it places him in a tough situation of losing Tessa forever. Step by step, he tries to redeem himself throughout the film. The road is rocky, however Hardin apparently wants to prove himself—albeit in a manipulative, domineering manner.
Moments of chaos provides an equally enjoyable resolution. Whenever it appears to the viewer that Tessa has moved on, her love for Hardin spirals back to life, resulting in some extreme violent confrontation and equally sensitive love making. Their relationship continues to confuse affection with abuse. The depiction in the film wherein love becomes eclipsed by rage isn’t hard to miss.
The sequel also reveals some family secrets. Hardin’s father issues and his unresolved childhood trauma offer an insight why some of his behaviors stem, giving further context to his character. On the other hand, Tessa starts dealing with her overbearing mother and the expectation of her life which she did not entirely want.
The conclusion of the film presents a bittersweet aspect. Despite the profound bond Tessa and Hardin have, we still question whether love alone would be enough to consolidate their relationship after all the damage that has been inflicted over time. The last scenes give a subtle indication of their journey yet to unfold, suggesting that there will be more conflicts and other numerous mysteries to uncover.
Character Development
Tessa Young’s character in this installment is tremendously developed. Unlike the unworldly optimistic sophomore in the previous movie, she is now a wounded woman who is trying to enter adulthood on her own terms. Struggling between her emotions and aspirations for the future is the main conflict of the movie. Josephine Langford’s performance as Tessa, while at times overly sentimental in the dialogue, offers her much more depth, portraying Tessa with greater resilience and complexity.
More elusive is the character of Hardin Scott. He moves between feeling sorry and feeling furious, between being vulnerable and pretending to be in control of everything. Intensity is added to the character by Hero Fiennes Tiffin. Even if Hardin is still very deeply problematic, this film tries to redeem him by exposing the trauma that caused his actions instead of providing rationale for them. This context does not absolve his actions but does provide ample justification for why his behavior is the way it is.
Trevor Matthews is a refreshing character addition and is played by Dylan Sprouse. He balances out Tessa and adds some comic relief as well as light within the chaos of the emotional storm.
Themes and Tone
After We Collided focuses on the forgiving, emotional reliance, self-value, and trauma. It poses as the central question, what truly a healthy relationship is, and whether two shattered pieces can be made to cure one another. The films greatly exaggerates the struggles with love and attraction between the fictional characters, often portraying toxic romance leading to either enthusiastic supporters or fuel for critique.
There is also a great concern for what denotes toxicity within passion. This film shows how overly strong feelings can attach two broken pieces together while slicing them into parts, especially in the absence of communication and trust. Some audience members might view it as unromanticized romance, while others will find this appealing for being unfiltered showcasing the disorderly essence of youth fallacies.
Cinematography and Music
It is evident that there was some style put into the film since it also features appropriate instrumentation. Mood enhancing lighting cuts with the sharp changes of emotions in the characters and the musical score reinforce that purpose. Zoomed in shots dominate the creative cinematography since Tessa and Hardin share private moments as every interaction is an encounter, so much so their romance grabs the audience’s attention.
The soundtrack features a combination of somber ballads and upbeat indie tunes that correspond to the different feelings throughout the story. Music is particularly important during climactic romantic or dramatic moments in the story.
Reception
After We Collided had mixed to negative reviews from critics but enjoyed considerable success with its primary target audience—young adults interested in the book series. Critics noted the reliance on clichés, excessive drama, and romanticization of unhealthy relationship behaviors. However, fans of the franchise appreciated the film’s romantic plot and character arcs, despite the hate it received for being so off-script from the books.
The film was a box office hit—gleaning dollars from everywhere outside of a limited release, particularly in foreign countries and streaming services. The buzz surrounding the film made furthers its sequels, cementing After as a benchmark in modern romantic drama.
Conclusion
After We Collided is a consistent shock to the viewers’ sensors. The film remains heavily reliant on emotional outbursts, rough love stories, and characters on a journey toward self discovery. It will not appeal to many, especially to the ones looking for a reconciled rendition of love, but it undoubtedly encapsulates the wildfire that is young love.
The film is not so much about establishing ideal love as it is about enduring the emotional hurricane love brings. With its imperfect characters, After We Collided’s intense performances weaves further into the chaotic universe introduced in the first film. In a way that merges both “guilty pleasure” and “cautionary tale,” this film remains one of the highlights of today’s young adult romance drama epidemic.
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