Aftersun

In the late 1990s, Sophie Patterson, an 11-year-old girl, arrives at a Turkish holiday resort with her father, Calum. This trip marks a special time for them as they spend quality time together after his separation from her mother.

Sophie captures their holiday experiences on a MiniDV camera, documenting the interactions, events, and encounters with the surrounding environment. The footage provides a glimpse into the bond between father and daughter as they navigate their vacation.

During their stay, Sophie befriends various English tourists at the resort. She particularly connects with a boy named Michael, and together, they enjoy playing arcade games and hanging out, which brings a sense of joy to her vacation.

As their holiday progresses, Calum displays signs of depression and internal conflict. He attempts to hide his struggles from Sophie while engaging in self-help methods like Tai Chi and reading, struggling to maintain a facade of happiness.

While scuba diving together, Sophie loses her expensive scuba mask, which creates an atmosphere of tension. Calum initially masks his true feelings, but Sophie, sensing his distress, comforts him, revealing her awareness of the mask’s value.

Sophie and Calum visit a rug shop where she admires a rug, and Calum wrestles with the decision to buy it due to its cost. Though he initially declines, he later returns alone and makes the purchase, indicating his desire to gift her something special.

One evening, Sophie eagerly signs them up for karaoke, but Calum refuses to sing with her despite her encouragement. Upset by his rejection, Sophie chooses to stay with other tourists, while Calum spends time alone, leading to emotional tension between them.

After their disagreement, Calum ventures to the beach and walks into the ocean, symbolizing his contemplative state. Meanwhile, Sophie discovers him asleep naked in their hotel room, showcasing the profound connection and care they have for one another.

The next day, while heading to the mud baths, Sophie surprises Calum with other tourists singing 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow' to celebrate his birthday. Although he appears stoic, the surprise is a moment of light amidst the shadows of his depression.

In a poignant moment, Calum is depicted alone in their hotel room, where he is shown crying with letters of apology scattered around him. This scene emphasizes his emotional turmoil as he grapples with his feelings and his role as a father.

On the final night of their vacation, Calum and Sophie share a heartfelt dance to 'Under Pressure'. This intimate moment signifies their deep bond, and although it carries a bittersweet tone, it encapsulates the love they share before parting.

The next morning, as they prepare to leave, Calum bids goodbye to Sophie at the airport. This emotional farewell highlights the bittersweet nature of their relationship, as both characters confront the inevitability of separation.

In the present day, Sophie is now an adult living with her wife and child. She keeps the rug that Calum bought beside their bed, symbolizing the lasting impact of her father and their shared experiences.

Sophie watches the footage from their holiday, reflecting on the moments captured on the MiniDV camera. This act of revisiting their past signifies the connection she maintains with her childhood and her father.

Throughout the film, there are abstract sequences where adult Sophie finds herself in a crowded rave, trying to reconnect with Calum. These scenes represent her longing to bridge the gap between past and present, illustrating her emotional journey.