After Everything (2023) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Hardin travels to Lisbon after his mother suggests reaching out to Natalie, an old acquaintance from his childhood. Feeling lost without Tessa and struggling with writer's block, he hopes to confront his past and find inspiration for his new book. His mother and birth father encouraged him to stop wallowing in self-pity and make peace with his memories of Tessa.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Hardin drinking excessively and being consumed by memories of Tessa, setting up his need for a transformative journey.

• hardin
• lisbon
• natalie
• healing
• self-discovery

Years before the events of the movie, Hardin impulsively accepted a bet from his friends to seduce Natalie as proof during a poker game. The video of this encounter was secretly recorded and went viral, causing significant fallout for Natalie. This incident forced her to leave for Lisbon to escape the backlash and start fresh.

Foreshadowing: The story hints at Hardin's troubled past behavior when he first meets Natalie at the bridal shop.

• natalie
• bet
• seduction
• video
• viral
• past

Sebastian attacks Hardin after perceiving that he was flirting with another girl while spending time with Natalie. Tensions had been building between the two men, with Sebastian being protective of Natalie and wary of Hardin's intentions. The confrontation escalates into a physical altercation, resulting in Hardin's arrest.

Foreshadowing: Sebastian is introduced as a cautious friend who initially leads Hardin to the dangerous cliff diving, showing his protective nature over those close to him.

• sebastian
• fight
• arrest
• beach
• jealousy

Hardin's new manuscript "Before" is his follow-up book to "After," the novel that detailed his tumultuous relationship with Tessa. After processing his emotions during his time in Lisbon and receiving support from Natalie, Hardin completes the manuscript. He seeks Natalie's approval for how he portrayed her in the story, acknowledging her role in his journey while making clear his feelings still belong to Tessa.

Foreshadowing: Throughout his Lisbon journey, Hardin reflects on his past with Tessa, which becomes the foundation for his writing.

• manuscript
• before
• book
• writing
• tessa

During his best man speech, Hardin openly expresses how much he misses Tessa and shares his heartfelt emotions. This moment of vulnerability, their first encounter in over two years, leads to a reconciliation. Recognizing their inevitable connection and unresolved feelings for each other, Hardin proposes, and Tessa accepts.

Foreshadowing: The wedding brings them together as maid of honor and best man, creating the opportunity for their reunion.

• proposal
• wedding
• reunion
• speech
• acceptance

The ending shows a flash-forward to the future where Hardin returns home holding his new book "Later." He is greeted by their young daughter, and Tessa, visibly pregnant, shares a joyful moment with him. This signifies a new chapter in their lives together as they prepare to expand their family.

Foreshadowing: The proposal scene and their reconciliation set up this hopeful future outcome.

• flash-forward
• daughter
• pregnant
• future
• family

Hardin overcomes his writer's block after receiving a pep talk from his birth father, who encourages him to honor Tessa's memory while still moving forward with his life. This epiphany, combined with his journey in Lisbon, support from Natalie, and processing his breakup, allows him to reconnect with his creativity and complete his manuscript "Before."

Foreshadowing: His father's motivational speech at the police station marks a turning point in Hardin's emotional journey.

• writer's block
• inspiration
• father
• healing
• writing

Tessa ended her relationship with Hardin after she stumbled upon his manuscript "After," which detailed their entire tumultuous love story. The book revealed private aspects of their relationship to the public, breaking Tessa's trust. This occurred a year before the events of the movie, and the breakup left Hardin devastated and unable to move on.

Foreshadowing: The movie opens with Hardin grappling with memories of Tessa, establishing the recent nature of their painful split.

• breakup
• manuscript
• after
• trust
• betrayal

Natalie serves as a catalyst for Hardin's healing by helping him confront his past mistakes. Through their reconnection in Lisbon, Hardin acknowledges the harm he caused her with the bet incident. Their shared experiences with public scrutiny and personal fallout allow Hardin to process his own trauma. Natalie supports his writing journey and ultimately encourages him to pursue his feelings for Tessa.

Foreshadowing: Hardin's mother specifically suggests reaching out to Natalie, indicating she could help him find closure.

• natalie
• healing
• support
• closure
• forgiveness

Landon's wedding serves as the pivotal moment that reunites Hardin and Tessa after two years of separation. As the best man and maid of honor, they are forced to confront each other face to face. Hardin's emotional speech about missing Tessa becomes the turning point that leads to their reconciliation and eventual proposal.

Foreshadowing: Hardin receives the wedding invitation while in Lisbon, which motivates him to stay longer and focus on his writing.

• wedding
• landon
• reunion
• speech
• reconciliation