“Aftersun” is deliberately ambiguous, which would possibly frustrate audiences preferring concrete solutions. That Sophie’s in ownership of Calum’s digital camera (and Turkish rug) all however turn out he is kicked the bucket, as does the construction of the movie, during which she’s re-evaluating her recollections and the videos from their commute. However, because the trope is going, if the target audience by no means sees the frame, the nature is not conclusively lifeless. It is conceivable (however extremely not likely) that Calum simply stopped being part of Sophie’s lifestyles after their holiday.
The a lot more believable clarification is that Calum endured to fight with melancholy after Sophie boarded the aircraft house to her mother. From Calum’s point of view, she zig-zags throughout the line and waves good-bye, which is the very last thing he information. From the movie’s point of view, Calum walks down an airport hallway and into the rave. This may mean that he dies through suicide nearly right away after the occasions of the movie, or it may well be an summary ultimate observe supposed to put across Calum’s conflicted emotions moderately than a definitive motion.
If he did finish his lifestyles, “Aftersun” does not appear taken with the main points about how or when. It is about Calum warring between his position as a father and his fact as an individual with serious psychological well being demanding situations. He is keen to percentage no matter knowledge he can with Sophie — how to shield oneself, for instance — as though he is aware of he is on his manner out. However he additionally makes guarantees as though he will be round. In the end, it is up to the viewer. On the other hand, with loaded pictures just like the Polaroid of Calum and Sophie that we by no means see increase, Wells turns out to supply a sad if nonetheless ambiguous solution.