STACK #232 February 2024

FEATURE MOVIE

The original book, After , was first released as an online fanfiction in the early 2010s, inspired by author Anna Todd’s love for Harry Styles and One Direction. The author was 25 at the time. DYK?

starts drinking again, struggling to write a second book and obsessing over his past mistakes. In need of a change, he heads to Portugal to make amends with Natalie (Mimi Keene), a young woman whom he treated badly in the past. “He’s very aware of the fact that he owes Natalie a big apology,” says Tiffin, 26. “It’s a big part of growing up, isn’t it? Taking responsibility. It takes a lot to admit that you’ve made a mistake. “Hardin has become quite codependent on Tessa for his healing, and I think he is slowly trying to come to terms with the fact that he may need to do this on his own,” he continues. “It’s a very interesting dynamic to explore his inner self, and it’s such an important thing. You can’t come into a relationship with 50%. You need to both come in at 100%.” If After Ever Happy was intended to be the final film, then the filmmakers realised there were some unanswered questions while editing its material. “When I read the new script the first time, I was instantly drawn to it,” says Tiffin. “I felt we really needed to explore this side of [Hardin]. It makes a lot of sense to add this last missing puzzle piece to the story.” Ultimately, the After franchise is for the millions of fans around the world who have connected with the films and Anna Todd’s book series. And although After Everything may tell a different kind of story, viewers will find that most of their favourite hallmarks of the series remain. “We’ve still got some sex scenes in there, some cliff jumps, some fights, some great new actors, some great returning actors... and stuff they haven’t seen as well,” teases Tiffin. “The most beautiful thing for me about playing this character and making these movies is when I meet people who say that After’s changed their life – sometimes they say it saved their life. I’m so proud, and honoured, and grateful.” And although After Everything likely

After Everything , the fifth and final instalment in the After film series based on AnnaTodd’s romantic novels, sees Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Josephine Langford reprise their roles as Hardin andTessa. Words Gill Pringle

B ut expect to see a lot more of Tiffin and a whole lot less of Australia’s own Langford, who serves as more of a flashback player while Tiffin’s Hardin wrestles with writer's block and visits a former girlfriend in Portugal for much of the film. If fans feel a little shortchanged by Langford’s fleeting appearance, then at least they can take heart from the fact that this fifth film is actually a bonus, considering the fourth chapter was meant to be the last. In the first four films of the series, fans followed the ups and downs of Hardin and Tessa’s relationship. By contrast, After Everything explores Hardin’s inner life, showing how he needs to change before finding himself ready to fully commit to another person. “He’s got so much past trauma and confusion in his head,” says Tiffin, the nephew of Ralph and Joseph Fiennes, who got his first big break, aged 11, featuring as Tom Riddle opposite Uncle Ralph’s Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince . “He can’t be his best version of himself to the people he loves unless he heals himself.” This final film takes place where After

Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Benjamin Mascolo

marks the final time Tiffin steps into Hardin’s shoes, he doesn’t see it as a goodbye. “After will always remain [in] a special place in my heart,” he says. “I’ve travelled to so many places, met so many new people and learned

• After Everything is out on Feb 7

Ever Happy left off – and in the months since Tessa became furious with Hardin for writing a book detailing their relationship, Hardin has moved back to England alone. While there, he

so many new skills. It’s done so much for me, I can’t really put it into words.”

If you’re approaching the After series from scratch, you have every right to be confused by their order – gone are the days of simple numerical sequels. So, here they are from 1 to 5. Have at it!

PUTTING THINGS IN ORDER

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