The period drama The Aftermath, starring Keira Knightley, Alexander Skarsgård and Jason Clarke, is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Based on Rhidian Brook’s 2014 novel, the 2019 film is directed by James Kent and also features Martin Compston in a supporting role.
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Set in post-war Germany in 1945, the story follows Rachael Morgan (Knightley) as she arrives in the British occupation zone in Hamburg. Reunited with her husband, Colonel Lewis Morgan (Clarke), Rachael struggles to reconnect after the death of their son, while being drawn to the architect Stefan Lubert (Skarsgård), embarking on a life-changing affair.
Upon release, The Aftermath received mixed reviews, scoring 26% on Rotten Tomatoes. Some critics described the film as “ridiculous and enjoyable” (Boston Globe), while others praised the performances and period detail. Empire Magazine noted that the “talented and committed cast make this swoonsome rather than samey,” and the Daily Telegraph highlighted the film’s strong sense of time and place.
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Knightley explained to British Vogue what attracted her to the project. She said the post-conflict setting was compelling: “How on earth do you start to rebuild after something that seemed post-apocalyptic? How is it possible to see somebody that you’ve seen as an enemy, suddenly as a human being again? That’s a great triumph of that generation.”
