The After franchise has taken fans on a whirlwind emotional rollercoaster — from passionate beginnings to heartbreaks, reconciliations, and everything in between. What began as a Wattpad phenomenon has grown into a global hit, with millions following the turbulent romance between Tessa Young and Hardin Scott. Now, with the release of After Everything, the fifth and final movie in the series, audiences are preparing to say goodbye. But what exactly is After Everything about? How does it connect to the previous films? Who’s returning, and what can we expect from this last chapter? Whether you’re a longtime “Hessa” fan or someone catching up before the finale, here’s everything you need to know about the grand conclusion to the After saga.
After Everything picks up following the emotional end of After Ever Happy, where Tessa and Hardin go their separate ways after years of love, loss, and conflict. Hardin is heartbroken and guilt-ridden, while Tessa is doing her best to move forward with her life. The fifth film centers primarily on Hardin’s journey. We see him travel to Portugal to make amends with a woman from his past — a subplot that connects to a dark part of his history. This trip becomes a transformative experience, one where he’s forced to confront the damage he’s done, not just to others, but to himself.
The good news for fans: Hero Fiennes Tiffin returns as Hardin Scott, once again delivering the brooding charm and emotional depth he’s brought to the role since the first film. His performance in After Everything is arguably his most mature and nuanced — showing a broken man trying to rebuild his life. Josephine Langford also returns as Tessa Young, although her screen time is more limited compared to previous films. Instead of co-leading the narrative, she appears in select moments that reflect how her presence continues to shape Hardin’s journey. Her absence is deeply felt — and that’s the point. The story is as much about her impact as her appearance.
New characters are introduced in Portugal, including a woman from Hardin’s past who plays a pivotal role in his quest for closure. The shift in setting to Lisbon, Portugal, gives After Everything a fresh, reflective tone. Far from the college dorms and London cityscapes of earlier films, the sunlit streets and historic architecture of Lisbon reflect the theme of inner peace and reinvention. Hardin’s time in Portugal isn’t just about making amends — it’s symbolic of his need to escape, to explore, and to figure out who he is without the chaos of his past. The visuals are stunning, and the change in scenery adds emotional weight to the film’s more introspective narrative.
As mentioned earlier, After Everything is not based on a specific novel by Anna Todd. This gave the filmmakers freedom to craft an original ending that stays true to the emotional arc of the series, while offering something fresh for fans who’ve read the books cover to cover. While some may have expected an adaptation of Before (the companion novel from Hardin’s POV), the creators instead chose to move the story forward rather than revisit the past. The result is a film that feels like an epilogue — a thoughtful, grounded farewell to the characters we’ve grown to love (and sometimes yell at).
After Everything was filmed largely in secret, catching fans off guard when it was first announced. The production was swift and efficient, with director Castille Landon returning to helm the final chapter after directing After We Fell and After Ever Happy. Landon emphasized that this story was meant to “bring Hardin full circle” and give the series the mature send-off it deserved. And while it still includes the drama and intensity fans expect, there’s a deliberate shift toward emotional resolution.
