← Back to results
The Aftermath
2019 108 min United States of America, United Kingdom, Germany R 18+
★5.8
War, Drama, Romance
Director: James Kent
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
In the aftermath of World War II, a British colonel and his wife are assigned to live in Hamburg during the post-war reconstruction, but tensions arise with the German widower who lives with them.
US Gross:
$1.62M
Worldwide:
$9.22M
Starring
Keira Knightley
Actor
Ned Wills
Actor
Pandora Colin
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
The Aftermath is a visually polished period drama that balances the stark realities of post-war Hamburg with a central romantic entanglement. Critics are deeply divided, with some praising its atmospheric tension and emotional restraint, while others dismiss the script as a clichéd and hollow melodrama.
| Cinematography | The film features authentic period detailing and high-quality cinematography that effectively captures the bleak atmosphere of a ruined post-war Hamburg. | |
| Acting | Jason Clarke delivers a nuanced and noble performance as the British officer, successfully grounding his role within the broader historical setting. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is widely criticized for relying on romantic clichés, shallow character motivations, and a lack of genuine emotional development to justify its central affair. | |
| Acting | Opinions on the lead performances are polarized: supporters praise Knightley and Skarsgård for their subtle, subdued portrayals, while detractors find them inert, lacking in chemistry, and hampered by poorly written roles. | |
| Pacing | The film’s pacing is a subject of debate, where some viewers find the contemplative and slow-burn narrative approach immersive, while others perceive it as boring and devoid of necessary momentum. | |
| Screenplay | The inclusion of secondary subplots involving Nazi partisans and intergenerational tension is frequently viewed as distracting, underdeveloped, or tonally inconsistent with the main domestic drama. |