‘Lock the doors. Set the alarm. Trust no one.’
Aftermath is a 2021 American horror film about a young couple who are offered an amazing deal on a home with a questionable past that would normally be beyond their means. As they are struggling in their relationship, they accept the deal.
Directed by Peter Winther (Painkillers; The Wicked; The Librarian: Quest for the Spear) from a screenplay written by Dakota Gorman based on Winther’s storyline. Co-produced by James Andrew Felts, Rick Sasner, Lars P. Winther and Peter Winther (Eight Legged Freaks; Godzilla 1998; Independence Day).
The Productivity Media-RiverRun Entertainment-Winther Brothers Entertainment co-production stars Ashley Greene (Twilight), Shawn Ashmore (X-Men), Sharif Atkins, Britt Baron, Diana Hopper and Jamie Kaler.
Our review:
Aftermath presents us with two main protagonists – a young couple experiencing marital difficulties due to previous infidelity and work pressures – who constantly bicker and have to visit their psychiatrist for advice. The chance of a new luxury home at a bargain price (that old trope) seems to offer a fresh start but simply compounds their woes.
For the first hour of this overlong film, viewers expecting horror may lose interest because there’s way too much relationship drama (it often feels like a Lifetime movie) that also unnecessarily drags in an estranged mother vs. resentful daughter sideline. When the scares do finally take over and the plot thickens Aftermath becomes slightly engaging. How much you are willing to accept some plot holes and the final revelation – which has been done before, and better – depends on a willingness to suspend a certain amount of logic. Overall, the movie is not recommended due to the slowness of the first half, its unnecessary length and the silly twist.
Trailer:
Cast and characters:
Ashley Greene … Natalie Dadich; Shawn Ashmore … Kevin Dadich; Sharif Atkins … Officer Richardson; Britt Baron … Dani; Diana Hopper … Avery; Jamie Kaler … Dave; Travis Coles … Garrett; Susan Walters … Farrah; Ross McCall … Nick Scott; Jason Liles … Otto; Alexander Bedria … Robert; Soraya Kelley … Sarena; Sandra Prosper … Anne Levin; Juliette Jeffers … Doctor Sasner; Freddie Basnight … Officer Hess; Josiah Lipscomb … Stranger/Seedy Guy; Debbie Fan … Doctor Lee; Jessica Winther … Professor; Zach Sklar … Delivery Man; Michaela Sasner … Tessa
Filming locations:
5266 Vanalden Avenue, Tarzana, California
Technical details:
1 hour 54 minutes
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
External reviews:
Aristarchos The Archivist
Drumdums [YouTube]
Heaven of Horror
It’s a Stampede!
Leisure Byte
Movies and Munchies [YouTube]
Mr H Reviews [YouTube]
The Ruby Tuesday [YouTube]
Screen Stars [YouTube]
Trailer Trashed
