If you’ve ever found yourself captivated by the passionate, turbulent love story of Tessa Young and Hardin Scott, then the After film series has likely taken up a special place in your heart. Adapted from Anna Todd’s bestselling novels, the series begins as a fiery college romance and evolves into an emotional saga of heartbreak, forgiveness, and growth. With the release of the fifth and final installment, After Everything, many fans are wondering how to watch the movies in the correct order—and whether the final chapter delivers the closure this long-running relationship truly deserves.
Let’s walk through how to watch the After movies in order, what each film brings to the story, and why After Everything is both a surprise and a poignant goodbye. The story begins with After, introducing us to Tessa, a college freshman with her life carefully planned out, and Hardin, a brooding rebel with a dark past. What starts as animosity soon transforms into an all-consuming romance. But beneath the passion lies manipulation, secrecy, and emotional chaos. Hardin’s initial attraction to Tessa is built on a cruel dare—one that devastates her when revealed.
The second chapter begins with the fallout from the truth. Tessa, heartbroken, tries to move on. Hardin, remorseful but emotionally volatile, fights to win her back. This film dives deeper into the toxic cycles of their relationship—how love can be magnetic, but also self-destructive. After We Collided is more mature and more explosive. It tackles issues like substance abuse, emotional dependency, and forgiveness. At the same time, it shows growth—albeit slow and painful. Both Tessa and Hardin begin to understand the consequences of their actions, even if they’re not yet ready to change.
The third film sees Tessa coming into her own. She’s less willing to sacrifice her future for love. Meanwhile, Hardin’s insecurities begin to boil over, challenging his belief that he can be loved without changing. It’s raw, emotional, and marks a transition from teenage angst to adult heartbreak. This installment is arguably the emotional core of the series. Tragedy strikes, and both Tessa and Hardin are forced to confront what they truly want—not just from each other, but from life itself. They’re older, more introspective, and finally begin to recognize the ways in which their relationship has both saved and hurt them.
There’s less shouting and more silence in this film. It’s reflective, sad, and beautifully restrained. Tessa learns that she can’t fix Hardin, and Hardin begins to understand that he can’t keep punishing himself for the past. It ends not with a definitive reunion, but with space—room for healing, room for choice. And then comes the final chapter: After Everything. Unlike its predecessors, this film isn’t about a love story—it’s about what happens after love. Hardin is alone. Tessa has moved on. And instead of chasing her, Hardin travels to Lisbon to make amends with people from his past, including Natalie, a woman he once deeply hurt.
This shift in focus was unexpected—and controversial. Some fans were disappointed by the reduced presence of Tessa, while others praised the film’s maturity and emotional honesty. But at its heart, After Everything is about accountability. Hardin isn’t seeking forgiveness from Tessa anymore; he’s seeking it from himself. The film ends with a quiet reunion between Tessa and Hardin, not fueled by passion, but by peace. There’s no grand romantic gesture, no sweeping kiss. Instead, there’s understanding—a look, a moment, a future implied but not defined. For a story that began in chaos, this calm ending feels earned.
