After

After leaves its ending open to interpretation, but it ultimately suggests that Robin might not have truly returned from the afterlife as herself. Throughout the film, Robin’s strange behavior and lost talent seemed to be signs that she was possessed by her sister Rose’s spirit, who had drowned and been stuck in the “here after” due to her unresolved death. When Claire, driven by guilt and desperation, stages a miracle drowning by filling a tub with cold water and pills, she physically enters the realm where souls linger. In that surreal, silent experience, Claire seems to reunite with Rose’s spirit, embracing her and finally allowing her to rest in peace. Robin’s reappearance, able to speak and perform, appears to be Rose living inside her body, helping her keep up appearances, especially since her skills with the piano mysteriously return. The reflected hands during her performance suggest that Rose’s spirit might still be—either controlling Robin or inhabiting her entirely. This unresolved ambiguity hints at the possibility that Rose’s soul could still be present, even if she seems at peace, and leaves viewers questioning whether Robin has truly come back as herself or if her body still carries the spirit of her lost sister. Ultimately, the film explores themes of guilt, forgiveness, and the lingering power of unresolved grief, leaving the ending as a haunting reminder that some spirits never rest until true peace is achieved.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44