Drama,Romance,War
United States of America,United Kingdom,Germany
The Aftermath is a 2019 drama film directed by James Kent, based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Rhidian Brook. The film stars Keira Knightley, Alexander Skarsgård, and Jason Clarke. The story is set in Hamburg, Germany, in 1945, just after the end of World War II. Rachael and Lewis Morgan, a British couple, are allocated a grand house on the outskirts of the city, requisitioned from a German architect named Stefan Lubert. The Morgans move into the house with their teenage daughter, as well as Stefan, who has agreed to stay in the house's attic.
The Morgans are still grieving the loss of their son during the war, while Stefan is grieving the loss of his wife. Rachael quickly becomes resentful of the German family living below them, but her attitude changes when she discovers that Stefan and his daughter are struggling to survive in post-war Germany. Rachael begins to sympathize and falls in love with Stefan, leading to an affair. This relationship causes tension within the house, as Lewis becomes increasingly jealous and resentful of Stefan's presence.
The film explores the aftermath of the war and the difficulties faced by former enemies trying to rebuild their lives. The tension between the characters reflects the wider tensions between Germany and the Allied powers in the post-war period. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the performances and others criticizing the slow pace. Despite this, it was praised for its accurate portrayal of the struggle faced by civilians during the immediate aftermath of World War II.
