The After: David Oyelowo Shines in an Otherwise Forgettable Grief Drama

The After sets out to be an emotional gut punch about loss, grief, and unexpected healing, but struggles under the weight of its brevity. This short film follows Dayo, a ride-share driver played by David Oyelowo, who is grappling with unimaginable grief after losing his family to a violent crime. When he picks up an enigmatic passenger, it forces him to confront his trauma head-on.

Given its short runtime, The After never really has the luxury to build a multi-layered narrative. Instead, it must lean heavily on emotion and performance — something David Oyelowo delivers. His portrayal is raw, heartfelt, and devastating, anchoring the film with much-needed depth. You feel his sorrow in every glance, sigh, and trembling hand. He’s the reason the film has any emotional pull at all.

Unfortunately, everything around Oyelowo falls a bit flat. The event that leads to his family’s death is glossed over almost dismissively — it happens so abruptly and with so little explanation that it robs the story of crucial emotional context. We don't understand the gravity of his loss beyond the surface level, and it feels like a missed opportunity. Additionally, the ending feels rushed and inconclusive, giving you the impression that the story was cut short just as it was reaching something meaningful.

The cinematography is decent, using muted tones and confined spaces to mirror the character's internal state. But the film would have greatly benefited from either a tighter, more profound script or a slightly longer runtime to flesh out the world and emotional stakes. It’s not a bad watch by any means, especially if you appreciate strong acting, but it doesn't quite live up to its potential.