The After (film)

The After is a 2023 British short film directed by Misan Harriman in his directorial debut and written by John Julius Schwabach from a story by Harriman. The film starring David Oyelowo and Jessica Plummer, tells the story of Dayo, a grieving rideshare driver who, after losing family members to a violent crime, picks up a passenger who helps him confront the past.

The After, winner of Best Live Action Short Film Award at HollyShorts Film Festival was nominated for the Best Live Action Short Film at the 96th Academy Awards in January 2024.

Plot
Dayo, an executive in London, accompanies his young daughter Laura as they head to meet her mother. As he steps aside to take a call, a stabbing attack takes place and his daughter gets killed. Though he manages to restrain the attacker, his wife commits suicide. A timeskip shows that Dayo is now a ride-share driver who doesn't keep in touch with friends or even social workers. He's shown stoically driving various passengers around, with intermissions of his grieving, such as singing "Happy Birthday" to a photograph of his family. At the airport, he picks up a bickering couple and their daughter, who bears a resemblance to his own daughter. As he steps out of the car to carry their baggage, he receives a hug from the daughter. As a response to this, Dayo has a breakdown on the curb and is seen crying as he sits there.

Cast

 * David Oyelowo as Dayo
 * Jessica Plummer as Amanda
 * Sule Rimi as Stewart
 * Izuka Hoyle as Emily
 * Amelie Dokubo as Laura
 * Ellen Francis as Rebecca
 * Nikesh Patel as Salman
 * Tara-Binta Collins as Amy
 * Dominique Tipper as Jessica
 * Ravi Singh as Krish
 * Ruth Sheen as Tabatha
 * Alan Williams as Fry
 * Dan Griffiths as Bandana Man

Production
Misan Harriman wrote a story, based on his own idea, which was turned into screenplay by John Julius Schwabach. David Oyelowo joined the cast and production team after viewing some of Harriman's photographs during the Black Lives Matter movement. Nicky Bentham also joined as producer after meeting Harriman.

Release
The film premiered at the opening night of the HollyShorts Film Festival on August 10, 2023.

The film was screened at 2023 BFI London Film Festival in 'LFF for Free: Shorts' section under 'Big Little Lives' on October 5, 2023.

Netflix made the film available from October 25, 2023.

Reception
Jason Knight rated the film 4/5 and praised technical aspects writing, "there are some fantastic establishing shots" and "filmmakers are creative with the sound, during scenes where voices sink in the background." Knight also liked the music and said, "Regarding the soundtrack, Francesco Le Metre develops music that includes sentimental piano melodies." Concluding he wrote, "It is an emotional and hard-hitting drama with superb acting and great character development and it explores psychological deterioration due to the effects of loss and grief."

Riya Singh reviewing for Leisurebyte wrote, "The After is a beautiful yet melancholic story of a man who once had everything and now remains in a world that is making him live on." Concluding she opined, "This is a story that will make you live through a full-length movie in just 18 minutes."

Rupali Manohar Chauhan reviewing for Meaww wrote, "John Julius Schwabach's hard-hitting and impactful writing deserves recognition. Schwabach has crafted a touching and profound screenplay, skillfully pulling the heartstrings of the audience."