After from 2012 is a strange beast of a film. There are a number of genres all mixed up into one under the science-fiction banner and while many may find it off-putting, it is if nothing else, compelling. Written and directed by Ryan Smith, the man creates a hodgepodge of a story with his leading characters being the glue that holds it all together. It is because of them that you remain watching when you might have otherwise stopped doing so and yet, as things move on, it all starts to make sense as things come together. There is nothing overly wrong with the picture, though there are a few moments where it does tend to drag and threaten your interest, but when all is said and done, you want to see what happens to those characters, such is their likeability and how well they are portrayed.

Though the movie is a science-fiction film at its heart, there are elements of fantasy, horror, romance and drama peppered throughout. What you soon come to realize is that the movie is one of those ‘are we in a dream or are we dead’ type of films. As such, strange things happen on continual basis such as the menacing fog that keeps encroaching on them, the fearsome creature that seems to be hunting them and the flashbacks they keep having. So it is that Smith can introduce all of these different genres and elements into the film, not so much as to confuse the viewer, but to keep them guessing as much as he does his characters. Of course, as Freddy and Ana are essentially the only two people in the movie and because they must face all of these obstacles together, they do eventually fall for each other. It is all a little predictable of course and perhaps somewhat choreographed, but it is sweet at the same time and when placed alongside the chaotic nature of everything else taking place, it is something of an anchor to hold on to.

When speaking of the movie, you cannot help but mention its stars, Steven Strait and Karolina Wydra. Together they tie all of the film’s disparate elements into one, somewhat cohesive storyline amid all the flashbacks and whatnot and at the same time, you get to know quite a bit about them throughout the picture. When the film begins, their performances are a little subdued, but soon they manage to pour on a little charisma and it is then that you really start to feel invested in them. What is plainly evident is that the film is not all that exciting, but like previously mentioned, it is compelling, not to mention suspenseful and filled with a continual thread of tension running throughout and you not only want to find out what happens to the characters, you want to see the mystery solved as well.

In all, there are pictures that are much better than After and there is a good chance that you may have never even heard of this movie. It is not a blockbuster by far, but it is a good film and based upon that, it will be intriguing to see what the future brings for Smith, if anything. A decent movie for a rainy day.

3 out of 5