Rather than being any kind of police drama, After is a gripping exploration of grief, and the toxic effect it can have on us. Told through a conversation between father and daughter, there is an expanse forming between them, caused by their individual feelings of loss. A void that - thanks to two magnificent performances, and a subtle shooting style - is right there on the screen for us to see. Their pain, almost palpable.
This isn't your typical angry Hollywood cop either. Burned by grief and out for revenge. No, this is about a father contemplating the unthinkable, and the daughter trying to pull him back from the brink. Beth Metcalf and Timothy J. Cox have a very genuine bond on screen. Together they bring Annie and Michael Darcy to life in quite a striking way. Seeing them talking to each other, it's like their doing it through glass. And even though we don't know them, it can be painful to watch, because you can see their bond straining under the weight of their pain and a need for justice.
The whole thing leaves you with a sense of what it must be like to console someone who has suffered a loss. How useless it can make you feel. Because watching this short film, as in reality, we are powerless to help Annie and Michael. All we can do is watch them try to process their grief... and hope that Michael doesn't do something stupid.
A powerful exploration of grief built around two magnificent performances. While it begs questions about what you would do if you found yourself standing in Annie and Michael's shoes, it also conveys a sense of hopelessness that comes with the pain of loss.
9/10
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