When “Twilight” became a massive franchise, the series spawned dozens of lesser film copycats. The same thing happened when Jennifer Lawrence became a huge star thanks to “Hunger Games.” So, now that “Fifty Shades of Grey” has finished its successful(?) run in theaters, you knew that…ummm, similar films would be coming sooner or later. And it appears one of the first ones is the upcoming “After.” However, this version of the erotic thriller has a very…interesting twist.
As you see in the first trailer for “After,” the story is very much a ‘Fifty Shades’-esque erotic romp. Pretty girl gets wooed by a pretty boy, and this innocent flower of a woman gets shown the wilder side of life thanks to a more mature, experienced boy. What separates “After” from ‘Fifty Shades,’ however, is one key thing — this film focuses on teenagers.
That’s right, “After” is basically the teenager equivalent of ‘Fifty Shades,’ but minus some of the more kinky aspects of the latter film. The film follows Tessa, a great kid by all accounts — good grades, loving and caring daughter, and loyal girlfriend to her high school sweetheart. But that all changes when she meets Hardin (that name…), a bad boy with charisma for days. From there, things change for Tessa as she becomes wooed by Hardin.
The film is based on the best-selling novel of the same name from author Anna Todd. The film was adapted by Susan McMartin, who is probably best known for her work on sitcoms like “Mom” and “Two and a Half Men.” “After” is directed by Jenny Gage, a relative newcomer with only the film “Lenny” and the documentary “All This Panic” under her belt.
“After” stars Josephine Langford, the younger sister to “13 Reasons Why” star Katherine Langford, who is known for her role on the series “Wolf Creek” and the film “Wish Upon.” She’s joined by Hero Fiennes Tiffin, nephew of Ralph Fiennes and Joseph Fiennes, who is best known for his role as the young Tom Riddle in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”
“After” hits theaters on April 12, 2019.
Here’s the synopsis:
Based on Anna Todd’s best-selling novel which became a publishing sensation on social story telling platform Wattpad, AFTER follows Tessa (Langford), a dedicated student, dutiful daughter and loyal girlfriend to her high school sweetheart, as she enters her first semester in college. Armed with grand ambitions for her future, her guarded world opens up when she meets the dark and mysterious Hardin Scott (Tiffin), a magnetic, brooding rebel who makes her question all she thought she knew about herself and what she wants out of life.