Here After (2024) Movie Review: A Supernatural Drama with Familiar Tropes
Introduction
Here After (2024) is the directorial debut of Robert Salerno, a longtime producer with an impressive resume, including films like 21 Grams and A Single Man. As his first feature, Here After treads familiar territory, offering a blend of supernatural elements, family drama, and emotional turmoil. With Connie Britton as its leading star, the film takes us through the life of Claire Hiller, an American expat in Rome, whose daughter Robin miraculously revives after a fatal accident. But as the film unfolds, what could have been an intriguing supernatural drama, unfortunately, falls flat, weighed down by predictable horror tropes and half-hearted suspense.
Plot Summary
Here After revolves around Claire Hiller (Connie Britton), an English teacher living in Rome with her teenage daughter Robin (Freya Hannan-Mills), a talented pianist. Claire’s life is already strained, as her ex-husband Luca (Giovanni Cirfiera) has moved on to start a new family, leaving her to cope with the emotional aftermath of their failed marriage. Robin’s life, however, takes a dramatic turn when she suffers a serious bike accident on her way to a piano audition during a storm. For 20 minutes, Robin is declared dead, only to miraculously revive — but something about her has changed.
The once bright and talented Robin now behaves erratically. She lashes out at her mother, shows hostility towards her schoolmates, and seems completely disconnected from her previous life. Claire is left grappling with the possibility that her daughter is possessed by an evil spirit, and her growing paranoia is further fueled by eerie hallucinations. When the church dismisses her claims, Claire turns to a doctor (Tommaso Basili) who specializes in near-death experiences, hoping to find answers. What follows is a psychological journey of grief, guilt, and forgiveness, though the film never fully commits to any one theme, leaving audiences wanting more.
Connie Britton’s Performance
Connie Britton delivers a nuanced performance as Claire, bringing depth to a character that is largely reactive throughout the film. As a mother grappling with the loss and apparent return of her daughter, Britton portrays her anguish and confusion with subtlety. Even though the script offers little for her to work with, she manages to make Claire’s pain feel grounded and believable. Britton’s portrayal is the saving grace of the film, as her character’s emotional arc is the most compelling element amidst a sea of predictable horror setups.
However, despite her best efforts, Britton is let down by a script that never quite takes off. Claire’s journey, which could have explored deeper themes of grief, loss, and faith, is reduced to a series of repetitive scenes that fail to build meaningful tension. The character’s desperation to save her daughter and seek redemption feels authentic, but the movie doesn’t provide enough substance to back it up.
The Supernatural Elements: Horror That Fizzles Out
Here After attempts to blend supernatural horror with family drama, but it never fully commits to either genre. The film borrows heavily from classic horror tropes — creepy child behavior, suppressed family trauma, and religious imagery — but fails to bring anything new to the table. The pacing is sluggish, and while Salerno employs moody visuals, like constant rain and dimly lit rooms, the atmosphere he tries to create feels forced and repetitive.
What starts as a potentially interesting exploration of grief and resurrection quickly becomes a muddled mix of half-hearted horror and sentimental drama. Robin’s change in behavior post-resurrection hints at possession, but the film never fully embraces this angle, leaving viewers with more questions than answers. The supposed “creepiness” of Robin’s transformation falls flat, as she spends most of the movie sulking and snapping at her mother without any real sense of menace.
The Confusing Message of Forgiveness
At the heart of Here After is a theme of forgiveness — both familial and spiritual — but the message is muddled and unclear. Claire’s guilt over her divorce and the impact it had on her daughter looms over the narrative, yet the resolution of this conflict feels rushed and unsatisfying. The film teases the idea that Claire is being punished for breaking up her family, but it never fully explores this concept in a meaningful way.
The supernatural elements, particularly Robin’s miraculous revival and Claire’s hallucinations, seem disconnected from the emotional core of the story. Instead of using these elements to enhance the psychological drama, they serve as distractions that lead to a confusing and unsatisfying conclusion.
Visual Style and Cinematography
One of the film’s strengths is its visual style. Cinematographer Bartosz Nalazek does an admirable job of capturing the beauty of Rome’s architecture and the eerie mood that Salerno tries to evoke. The rain-soaked streets and darkened interiors create a melancholic atmosphere that complements Claire’s emotional state. However, the film relies too heavily on these visuals, using them as a crutch to compensate for the lack of narrative depth.
The film’s dreamlike climax, where Claire’s emotional journey comes to a head, is one of the more visually striking sequences. Unfortunately, it feels out of place with the rest of the film, and by the time this moment arrives, the pacing has slowed to a crawl, making it difficult for viewers to stay engaged.
Where to Watch Here After (2024) Online
As of its release in September 2024, Here After is available to stream on various platforms in the United States. The movie can be watched on Paramount+, which holds exclusive streaming rights. For those interested in renting or purchasing the film, it is also available on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV, and Vudu.
Streaming services:
- Paramount+ (Subscription required)
- Amazon Prime Video (Rental or purchase)
- Google Play Movies & TV (Rental or purchase)
- Apple TV (Rental or purchase)
- Vudu (Rental or purchase)
Conclusion
Here After had the potential to be a thought-provoking supernatural drama, but it ultimately falls short of delivering a compelling story. While Connie Britton gives a strong performance as Claire, the film’s reliance on tired horror tropes and lack of narrative focus makes it difficult to recommend. The movie doesn’t commit fully to any one genre, leaving it stuck in limbo between psychological drama and supernatural thriller. For fans of Britton’s work, it may be worth a watch, but for those looking for a gripping, cohesive story, Here After is likely to disappoint.
