THE AFTERMATH: A Sizzling Drama Lacking Originality

The Aftermath directed by James Kent, is a tale focused on an estranged couple with the backdrop of post-World War II Germany serving as a metaphor for their troubled marriage. When Rachael (Keira Knightley) is instructed to live with a German widower (Alexander Skarsgård) and his daughter at the behest of her husband (Jason Clarke), their marriage is put to the test, as Rachael is tempted by the unexpected bond she forms with this German man.

While this tale of lust and betrayal is clever in the way the state of the couple’s marriage closely mirrors the political climate that surrounds them, it is ultimately hindered by a lack of ingenuity as the moral of the story has long been exhausted by practically every story set during any historical war.

The Bitter Winter of Post-WWII Germany

From the onset, the film is notable in its striking depiction of the frigid climate featured in the countryside of Hamburg, Germany. The concept of the film’s cool, muted cinematography being used to parallel the tense political climate during this time period is distinctively apt and also reminiscent of Luca Guadagnino’s recent approach to the Suspiria remake. Coupled with some impressive production design and costumes, the film’s aesthetic is beautiful to behold.

The sumptuous backdrop is the prime setting for the magnetic relationship that develops over the course of the story between Rachael and her German widower housemate, Stefan. What begins as a mutual distrust slowly thaws as the two find common ground in their grief over what they each lost in the carnage of the war. This evolving connection is greatly aided by the chemistry exhibited between the actors, as the screen sizzles whenever the two share a scene together.

Keira Knightly particularly shines as her performance elevates the material she has, and she paints a beautiful portrait of a frigidly distrustful woman slowly being revitalized through her connection with this newfound stranger.

A Sentiment We’ve Heard Countless Times Before

The strong performances, however, are insufficient to liven up a screenplay that offers nothing new or profound beyond a romantic story. The crux of the film is the notion that no matter how horrific the events that transpire, both sides in times of war often have more in common than either would like to admit. It’s a beautiful sentiment, albeit one that feels stale, as it has factored into practically every war-related story ever told.

What’s more, as the film progresses, there is a sense that the screenplay is lacking in sufficiently compelling material to land a thrilling conclusion that fulfills on the promise from the mounting tension over the course of the story. This is most apparent from the inclusion of a sub-plot revolving around the remaining Nazi radicals that feels cobbled together in a desperate move to spice up the plot. The tacked-on nature gives one the impression as though the writers realized midway through the story that the forbidden love angle was not adequately dramatic and threw in this B-plot hoping to address this.

Conclusion: The Aftermath

For anyone looking for period-piece romantic fare revolving around a decent character study, The Aftermath is worth seeing for the enticing performances and striking ambience that the film establishes. However, there is nothing groundbreaking or original in the story that is laid out, and for most viewers they will find that the stakes are just never thrilling enough to make for a satisfying journey.

What did you think? Was the love triangle alone dramatic enough to power the rest of the story? Let us know in the comments below!

The Aftermath was released in U.S. theaters March 15, 2019. For all international release dates, see here.