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After (2019 film)

After is a 2019 American romantic drama film directed by Jenny Gage and based on Anna Todd’s 2014 novel of the same name.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

After is a 2019 American romantic drama film directed by Jenny Gage and based on Anna Todd’s 2014 novel of the same name. It is the first film in the After series and stars Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Tessa Young and Hardin Scott.

Premise

The film centres on Tessa Young’s first months at college, where she meets the mysterious Hardin Scott and enters a turbulent romantic relationship with him.

Production and release

After was directed by Jenny Gage and adapted for the screen by Gage, Susan McMartin, Tamara Chestna, and Tom Betterton. It premiered in Los Angeles on April 8, 2019, and opened in U.S. theatres four days later.

Reception

Critics gave the film largely negative reviews, with particular criticism aimed at its screenplay and its portrayal of an abusive relationship.

Commercial performance

The film performed well at the box office, earning more than $69 million worldwide on a reported $14 million budget.

Key facts

  • The film is an adaptation of Anna Todd’s 2014 novel After.
  • It is the first instalment in the After film series.
  • The story follows Tessa Young, a college student who begins a relationship with Hardin Scott.
  • Jenny Gage directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Susan McMartin, Tamara Chestna, and Tom Betterton.
  • Despite negative critical reviews, it was a commercial success and grossed over $69 million worldwide against a $14 million budget.
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Canadian context

After is part of a globally distributed teen romance franchise that was widely available in Canada through theatrical release and streaming platforms, making it familiar to Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is After?
After is a 2019 American romantic drama film based on Anna Todd’s novel After.
Who directed After?
The film was directed by Jenny Gage.
Who stars in After?
The lead roles are played by Josephine Langford as Tessa Young and Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Hardin Scott.
When was After released?
It premiered on April 8, 2019, and was released in U.S. theatres on April 12, 2019.
Is After part of a series?
Yes. It is the first film in the After film series.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/After_(2019_film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, cast, release date, source novel, series position, and box office performance.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/After_(film_series)
    Supports: Series context and franchise overview.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/after_2019
    Supports: Director, screenwriters, runtime, genre, synopsis, and release information.
  4. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/80244311
    Supports: Film synopsis and cast listing.