User reviews

Erratic camera-work, extreme close-ups, shifting focus, and rapid cuts: when utilised sparingly by a proficient director working in conjunction with a skilled editor, these movie-making techniques can help to effectively convey urgency, panic, and terror; however, in the hands of a less talented film-maker, one who lacks the finesse and experience to make judicious use of such methods, the results can be virtually unwatchable. Such is the case with David L. Cunningham's After.

I've seen a lot of bad films in my time, but there are very few that I loathe with such intensity as this virtually unwatchable mess, 76 minutes of migraine inducing garbage during which Cunningham never once uses a tripod, rarely sustains a shot for over a second, dispenses with such trivialities as keeping his picture in focus, and shines as many bright lights directly into the camera lens as humanly possible.

If all of that wasn't bad enough, the plot is completely unfathomable for 99% of the running time, after which all becomes clear(ish) with a trite twist ending that didn't even seem all that fresh over two decades ago when Adrian Lyne used it for Jacob's Ladder (a film that After clearly strives to emulate).

I do not understand the negative comments posted here. This film is definitely worth watching. The movie held me to the very last frame. Maybe because I "got it" where some didn't. This film makes you think, and the cinematography, editing and sound fit perfectly with the style of story telling. I found the characters very believable and the tunnel shots kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. And the music - the music provided the perfect ambiance.

I normally don't react to the comments of others but their negativity is uncalled. There are really bad movies out and this is NOT one of them. Maybe the other reviewers expected a formulaic piece of fluff - AFTER is definitely not that. Give this movie a chance. It's a very good film.

The film starts out well, with urban explorers doing their thing. They film their exploits and post them to a web site, gaining fame and friends along the way.

Then they go on a trip to Moscow and things go haywire. It's a good movie up to that point, but when the surrealism starts the fun is all over. You can't tell what is really happening, what parts are just surrealism, and what is just some kind of flashback. That spoils the whole intent of the movie - if you don't know what's going on, it's hard to enjoy.

It's not a bad movie, and I liked watching it, but the whole thing was spoiled for me by the repeated flashbacks, people coming back to life, people disappearing, walls fluctuating, etc. I lost the thread of what was really happening at that point, and so stopped caring.

In a lot of ways it reminds me of Primer, another movie that was good but somewhat hard to keep track of.

i may have to watch it a few times to get it but ..other than trying to watch it during the dark tunnel scenes.. its pleasing to the eye and the dialog doesn't make me wanna puke and the music is great! I could actually feel dads grief. i am kinda confused about the ending but i am still trying to muddle thru realty and whatever was going on elsewhere.So all in all give this movie a chance.. maybe have a shot of tequila to keep you company and just enjoy the visual effects and the movie and maybe in a dream it will all come together for you. I did watch it on an HD 70 inch LCD so i think that helped a little and i paused it when i was confused.. which was quite a few times.

The movie had a slow start but it had a very interesting perspective after a bit. It sort of introduces you to the whole urban explorer thing then gets into the story heavily. Very dynamic ending and exciting twists.

I feel sorry for the girl, she had it that hardest, will sort of. : 0 That would be one hell of a way to spend your vacation. Sort of a bit of hell meets extreme sports adventure. Either way it was fun to watch. Just wouldn't want to go there myself.

I think this is one of those movies that will be very interesting to watch a second time on DVD. There is so much going on!

Even though it was completely sold out, I was able to score tickets to see After... at its premiere at the AFI film festival, and I was blown away. How did such a freaky, convoluted, twisted story get made totally under the radar like this? The cinematography is a bit wild, and near the beginning I found myself sort of confused and disoriented, not sure what was happening, or where. However, shortly into the movie you forget about that discomfort, and get sucked into the story (confusing and disorienting by no accident, I'm sure). And if there was ever a story that would be visually supported by the spastic hand-held look, this is it. Basically, I think the filmmakers nailed it. They were able to meld the intense world of urban exploration with a supernatural thriller, and make it have some depth to the story for a discerning audience. The Crystal Method soundtrack was perfect, the actors' performances solid, and the editing and sound design top notch. Cross your fingers that this one will have a good theatrical release and come soon to a theater near you.

This movie keeps your attention. I didn't like the extreme camera angles. Guess that is how this kind of movie is suppose to be. But it made it hard to focus on what was happening. The lighting was amazing, however.

The acting seemed flawless. I am not an expert on these things, but over all the actors and all seemed good. I saw it at a special screening and many people seemed to like it even better than myself. Loved the music of course - GO Crystal Method!!! I wanted a more uplifting story - that probably would seem cheezy in a movie like this though.

Director David L. Cunningham takes the audience on a rough-edged ride with three extreme thrill-seekers, running us out of the blocks with a dramatic BASE jump and hauling us into Moscow's underground subways, chiefly the infamously secret Metro-2 line purportedly built in Stalin's time. Guerrilla-style in the actual tunnels, this is head-spinning film-making, an experience where rushing trains rattle your teeth; when a character scratches his neck, your neck itches too; and you feel irradiated an hour in. Without giving it away, the movie's a head- flip on a story level too, as screenwriter Kevin Miller and Cunningham rope in themes of love, guilt, regret, and bottomless loss so densely with the adventure that you're still sifting through them long after the credits have played.

The sharp intimate scenes and claustrophobic mood are highly suited for DVD view.

I can see why this movie flew over so many peoples heads. You have a lot of people that actually believe this film is about Urban Exploration and are mad that they didn't get it. Its about exploration alright, but if anything self exploration.

I'll be the first to admit this movie does require the utmost attention or you will get lost quick. This isn't really a watch with friends type movie. It starts with some Urban Exploration and quickly morphs into strange dreamlike sequences. I am not going to spoil it so all I can say is if you have a really good attention span and like surreal horror/adventure movies then give it a shot.

This movie also has a strong re-watchability factor. I have seen it 3 times and know there are frames and sequences I have missed.

Excellent, one of the most underrated horror films I know of.

well... yeah... so at the beginning I was like "ok, I like this, but when will the real movie begin" and then I realized this IS the real movie and was like "woah". WHAT. A. MOVIE. Sure, it borders on experimental cinema but whetever I've seen my share of weird cinematic experiments, I can watch it. And I did. And it was AWESOME. Unknown American filmmakers, I salute you. I don't know what you were trying to accomplish here but you've created a masterpiece of independent ciema. I don't know, maybe you're just some undeground explorers who brought a camera along, or maybe you're some cinema-art students who had this idea, whatever, YOU'VE MAYDE IT. If I was a judge at some sort of a independent movie convention I would not only give this 10 out of 10 but I would nominate this for an Oscar or something. I pay my respects and I know probably you'll never make it, you'll remain in the "undergound" forever but know this: this one guy though your movie was a masterpiece.

I liked how it kept you guessing, and then it all comes together in the end with a very interesting plot. The characters could have used a more of a background. But in some ways that adds to the intrigue. The camera work is a bit distracting, but once again it sort of draws me into the story all the more. I liked it overall.

The sets were incredible. It looks like the real deal. Maybe it was? I want to see it again, and look closer this time. Can't wait until the DVD comes out.

The screening I was at was awesome, great sound and picture. The movie is short, but so intense it seems much longer.

I thought AFTER... was a well conceived film. The foreshadowing was well executed. I like the "passengers" traveling with you under 16 reference. The chemistry between characters was good. I don't understand why they didn't turn off their lights doing scenes where they could be caught. His guilt was well established throughout as well.

Like I said about the lights and stuff, I guess the situation of "where" we were in the film explains much of it. It makes sense in the end.

All the locations looked really good, too.

Some movies are critically panned and deserve it; they're poorly made, badly acted, directed or written. There are others that are simply misunderstood. "After" is one of these. At first glance, it's another film about a hedonistic group of thrill-seekers in a dangerous, surrealistic environment. The mood of the film is established early on through the use of POV "Blair Witch" style camera work. The nervous, frenetic movements of the frame convey the adrenalin rush of the characters as they infiltrate buildings, tunnels and other forbidden places, "…simply because they can." The action moves to Moscow where the mission is to explore Stalin's legendary "Metro 2" underground. Seen through the point of view of "Nate," the journey quickly becomes a nightmare as the line between what is real and unreal disappears entirely. I found the dreamlike sequences fascinating, especially the effect of characters disappearing as though they were digital ghosts. After's unusual style of direction kept me slightly off-balance, right to the end. The truth remains out of reach, like the indistinct walls of the tunnel just beyond the light. A good movie lingers on in memory, giving food for thought…After.