Aftermath (2017) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Inspired by a True Story

ROMAN

Roman Melynk, portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a dedicated construction foreman in his sixties, earning the respect of his colleagues. He chats with his co-worker Matt, played by Glenn Morshower, about completing their latest project ahead of schedule. Matt encourages Roman to return home to prepare for the Christmas holiday with his wife and daughter, cheerfully reminding him that he is soon to be a grandfather. Roman's excitement at the thought of his family gathering is palpable as he prepares for their arrival.

In a hurry to reach the airport, Roman carries a bouquet of flowers, but upon his early arrival, he discovers a looming worry when he notices that his family's flight has been flagged for issues. He speaks with the attendants about flight AX 1-12, only for their solemn expressions to send cold shivers down his spine as they usher him into a private room. It is there that Eve Sanders, played by Mariana Klaveno, delivers the devastating news: his wife and daughter’s flight has met with a tragic accident, and chances of survival are grim. Staggered by grief, Roman’s reality shatters as he learns about the future that will never come, including the unborn grandchild he so eagerly anticipated.

JACOB

Simultaneously, we are introduced to Jacob Jake Bonanos, portrayed by Scoot McNairy. Jake is an air traffic controller who, after sharing tender moments with his wife Christina, played by Maggie Grace, heads to work. Despite the calm atmosphere, turmoil brews as he inadvertently clears flights for descent without proper confirmations, leading to a catastrophic collision between two planes. His poignant outcry, "How many dead? How many people were on those planes? Oh my god, how many people are dead?", highlights the weight of his guilt and anguish, knowing he played a role in this unfathomable tragedy.

In the days following the disaster, both Roman and Jacob navigate their respective realms of sorrow and guilt. Roman finds solace in fleeting moments, yet the temperature of his home turns icy as memories of family flooding back become unbearable. He even attends the crash site, experiencing indescribable despair as he confronts the remnants of what was once his cherished family. Meanwhile, Jacob's world becomes shadowed by paranoia and insomnia, his mental state deteriorating as he struggles to come to terms with the consequences of that fateful day.

As Roman navigates the complexities of grief, he continues to seek closure, yearning for an apology from Jacob. Unbeknownst to Roman, Jacob is attempting to forge a new life under a new identity, filled with isolation and regret. A year passes, marking the anniversary of the tragedy, and the two men's paths converge in a harrowing climax.

Roman confronts Jacob, seeking the one thing that could bring some semblance of relief: an acknowledgment of his suffering. Instead, Jacob’s denial escalates into violence when Roman lashes out in a moment filled with tumultuous grief, resulting in dire consequences that lead to murder and imprisonment.

A decade later, as Roman prepares for his release, he endures the burden of his actions, reeling with the aftermath of a grief-driven crime. Upon leaving prison, Roman’s haunting journey brings him back to the cemetery, where he uncovers an unexpected and emotional encounter with Samuel, Jacob’s now-adult son. As they stand in the shadows of their intertwined tragedies, Roman realizes that healing and redemption are not easily attained, yet he must carry on with the impact of his choices, facing the consequences alone.

The narrative paints a profound and heartbreaking exploration of loss, guilt, and the quest for absolution, ultimately leaving the audience to ponder the intricacies of human compassion and the fallout from unimaginable tragedy.

The ending of Aftermath leaves viewers with a sense of unresolved mystery. Throughout the film, the house is haunted not only by supernatural forces but also by tragic human stories. Natalie and Kevin, trying to rebuild their relationship, find themselves increasingly attacked by a malevolent spirit—Otto—who was once involved with Erin, the house’s previous owner. Otto is revealed to have sacrificed his identity out of love for Erin, and when she chose her husband over him, Otto spiraled into violence, killing both Jay and Erin before taking a sinister interest in Natalie. He poisons Kevin and tries to control and torment the couple using a hidden, sinister room, where he keeps Natalie hostage.

In the climax, Natalie manages to kill Otto with scissors, ending his threat, but the story doesn’t provide clear closure. It’s revealed that Otto abducted Natalie’s sister, Dani, and attacked her, leaving her body in the house, though her fate remains ambiguous. The film then jumps forward roughly a month, showing Kevin and Natalie leaving the house and putting it up for sale after a series of horrific events. As the screen fades to black, the camera focuses on a mysterious door in the house that closes on its own—raising the question of whether the evil presence has truly left or if something sinister still lingers. The ending’s open-ended nature invites viewers to ponder whether the supernatural evil has been vanquished or if it remains hidden, lurking underground, waiting for its next victim. It’s a haunting conclusion that underscores how the house’s dark history continues to cast its shadow, even after the characters think they’ve escaped.