Title – Aftermath (2017)

Director – Elliot Lester (Blitz)

Cast – Arnold Schwarzenegger, Scott McNairy, Maggie Grace, Judah Nelson, Martin Donovan, Glenn Morshower

Plot – After a tragic plane crash, construction foreman Roman (Schwarzenegger) and air traffic controller Jake (McNairy) find their lives unravelling as the two men struggle to overcome the aftereffects of the tragedy.

“I would like for someone to say that they’re sorry for killing my family”

Review by Eddie on 05/10/2017

Those going into Aftermath expecting a gun-toting retired Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger are going to be left sorely disappointed by the lack of carnage on display here, in what official marks a new career point for one of the world’s most famous action stars.

No doubt coming to terms with the fact that he can’t continue to destroy bad guys and spurt one liners for the rest of his acting days, Aftermath sees a further continuation of a different side to Arnie that we glimpsed first in the potentially great but forgettable zombie drama Maggie from 2015 and it goes without saying that Aftermath is arguable Arnie’s finest “acting” turn or at the very least most solid attempt at being anything other than what we’ve come to know and expect.

Sure Arnie’s shown a different side to himself in comedy ventures such as Twins and Kindergarten Cop, but Aftermath’s focus purely on two equally shattered souls affected by a terrible plane crash really sees the one time Hollywood kingpin dial everything back to zero and play a simple, flawed human entering into a dark abyss of depression, hatred and anger.

Arnie’s turn as the grieving Roman is a turn that’s commendable and one that’s ably supported by the always good Scott McNairy as unfortunate air traffic controller Jake but Elliot Lester’s film isn’t one that ever takes off to great heights and suffers from a long drawn out process to get to a non-surprising boiling point and an even less surprising final segment.

This based on a true story tale certainly gets things off to a strong emotionally resonate beginning but it’s as the film draws on that the power the tale initially had slowly dwindles away, as we’re thrown into a procession of scenes that cover the same ground over and over.

Whether its Roman looking at photographs of his deceased wife and daughter or Jake taking pills and contemplating suicide as an option to escape the torment he feels for his responsibility in the plane accident, Aftermath has a tough time moving us from beginning to end which makes the film more of a middle of the road experience, rather than a memorable one.

Final Say –

It’s refreshing to see a different side to Schwarzenegger and he should be commended for separating himself from roles that have dominated his illustrious career but Aftermath is neither a powerful enough drama or a satisfactory enough slow burner to truly become a must see.

2 ½ interrupted board games out of 5