In What's After the Movie, the story unfolds against the tense backdrop of September 1939, when Britain is on the verge of war. As fears of German bombings loom, many children are evacuated from cities to find safety in the countryside. Among them is William Beech, a fragile and shy boy from Deptford, who has endured severe physical and emotional abuse from his mother. He arrives in the small village of Little Weirwold, appearing gaunt, covered with bruises, and carrying the heavy burden of guilt and shame instilled by his strict, religious, and mentally unstable mother. William's delicate nature is further underscored by his daily bed-wetting, a sign of his deep inner trauma.
In the village, William is taken in by Tom Oakley, a reclusive and somewhat grumpy widower in his sixties who is avoided by most of the community due to his aloof demeanor. Despite Tom being seen as grumpy, it is his kindness that ultimately prevails when he learns about William's troubled home life. Although initially distant, Tom develops a soft spot for William after discovering the extent of his hardships. Over time, William begins to bond with Tom, forming a special connection, especially with his loyal dog, Sammy. This relationship becomes a turning point for William, allowing him to feel safe and loved in a way he never had before.
William's adaptation to village life includes attending school, where he makes new friends such as George, the twins Carrie and Ginnie, and particularly Zach, another evacuee. Under the guidance of Tom and caring teachers like Annabelle Apsion, William learns to read, write, draw, and act. His natural talents flourish as he explores his artistic side, which becomes a source of comfort and self-expression. Meanwhile, Tom, too, undergoes a transformation, as William's innocence and resilience revive a long-suppressed part of his own life. It is revealed that Tom suffered the tragic loss of his wife and baby son to scarlet fever forty years earlier, which left him emotionally scarred but also more compassionate.
Trouble surfaces when William's mother writes to say she is unwell and requests his return. Though hesitant, Tom agrees to let William go home, believing he can help. William, eager to prove himself and share his newfound achievements, looks forward to moving back, but reality soon shatters his hopes. His mother is furious about William’s progress and the attention he has received from others, especially Zach, whom she disapproves of due to his Jewish faith. When William defends Zach and talks about his experiences, his mother reacts with anger and violence. She knocks him unconscious and locks him in the cupboard under the stairs, where William remains for days, torn from the outside world and isolated in darkness. She shows no concern for her newborn daughter, who lies neglected in a box, and is furious that William has formed attachments outside her control.
Weeks pass, and Tom grows increasingly uneasy about William’s silence and lack of letters. Driven by worry, Tom takes the train into London and eventually locates William’s home in Deptford. The house is eerily silent, but Sammy, the dog, is agitated inside, leading Tom and a policeman to force entry. They find William chained in the closet with the dead baby girl, who had been neglected, and William severely malnourished and bruised, a victim of his mother's cruelty. Rescue comes too late for the infant, but William is taken to the hospital where he endures nightmares and is heavily sedated to prevent disturbing others. The authorities plan to place him in a children's home, but Tom intervenes, kidnapping William from the hospital and returning him to the safety of Little Weirwold.
Back in the village, William remains traumatized and bedridden. He blames himself for his sister’s death, believing he failed to feed her enough milk, but through visits from Zach and his favorite teacher, Annabelle Apsion, he learns the truth—that he could never have cared for the baby alone, and that his mother’s claims about sin and shame were lies. It is also revealed that his mother’s story about sex and conception was false, and that she had actually engaged intimately with a man, which shattered William’s misconceptions.
Eventually, the devastating news comes that William’s mother has committed suicide, leaving him orphaned. The authorities inform him that he has no other relatives, leading to discussions of placement in a children's home. However, Tom fights to keep William and is eventually granted permission to adopt him. The two share a heartfelt bond, and they set off for a holiday at Salmouth, where a landlady mistakenly assumes William is Tom’s biological son.
Tragedy strikes again when William receives news that Zach has been injured in the Blitz and tragically dies in London. Grieving deeply, William finds solace and strength in a new friendship with Geoffrey Sanderton, a young man who lost a leg during the war and offers William private art lessons. Through Geoffrey, William begins to understand the pain of loss, as Geoffrey shares stories of his own best friend who also died. Inspired by Zach’s memories, William learns to ride his bike, symbolizing his growing independence and ability to move forward. He also begins to forge a closer bond with Carrie, sharing memories of Zach and finding comfort in friendship.
As the story concludes, William reflects on how much his life has changed since arriving in Little Weirwold. With Tom now calling him “Dad,” he recognizes the profound growth he has experienced. His journey from a frightened, neglected boy to a resilient young person capable of love and hope demonstrates not only his own resilience but also the transformative power of kindness, friendship, and understanding in the face of life's darkest challenges. William's journey emphasizes that healing is possible, even after profound trauma, and that family can be built on love and compassion beyond blood ties.
