
For years, Hero Fiennes Tiffin has carried the weight of playing one of the most emotionally complicated and fan-obsessed characters in recent young adult film history—Hardin Scott. Since the first “After” movie debuted, fans have followed Hardin and Tessa’s tumultuous love story through heartbreak, healing, and everything in between. But in After Everything 2, the so-called final chapter of the saga, the closing scene delivered a twist that left audiences gasping, divided, and desperate for answers. Now, Hero is finally speaking out about what that scene really meant—and why it might not be the ending fans expected.
In the final moments of After Everything 2, Hardin, after years of inner turmoil and emotional sabotage, seems to find peace. He walks away—not just from Tessa, but from the entire cycle of toxic love he has been trapped in. The last shot of him turning his back on their shared past was both cathartic and devastating for fans who had hoped for a more “happily ever after” conclusion. Social media exploded. Some praised the filmmakers for choosing realism over fantasy. Others felt betrayed, having invested in five films’ worth of emotional build-up for a romance that didn’t seem to win in the end. But for months, Hero Fiennes Tiffin stayed silent. Until now.
In a recent interview with Collider, Hero finally opened up about that controversial ending. “It wasn’t easy for me either,” he said. “As someone who’s lived inside Hardin’s head for so long, I wanted closure. But I also knew that real closure doesn’t always mean riding off into the sunset. Sometimes it means letting go.” Hero revealed that the decision to end the film on a more ambiguous note wasn’t just about being edgy or different—it was about honoring Hardin’s growth. “Hardin’s journey has always been about more than just his relationship with Tessa. It’s about learning to love himself, to forgive, to stop blaming the world for his pain.”
That final scene, according to Hero, represents something bigger than romance. “We’ve seen Hardin at his worst. He’s been manipulative, angry, broken. But in that moment, when he chooses himself—not in a selfish way, but in a healing way—it’s the first time he’s truly free. It’s not about abandoning love. It’s about recognizing that sometimes love needs space.” Hero emphasized that the fans who feel disappointed should try viewing the ending from a different lens. “It’s not the fairy tale. But it’s real. And in its own way, it’s still hopeful.”
Hero also addressed rumors that there were multiple versions of the final scene, and that producers debated heavily on how to wrap up such an emotional saga. “There were definitely discussions. Everyone had a vision. But ultimately, we agreed that this ending—quiet, bittersweet, unresolved—was the most truthful.” He also praised Josephine Langford, who plays Tessa, for her commitment to authenticity. “We both felt strongly that our characters had earned more than a bow-wrapped resolution. Their story is messy. Beautiful, yes—but messy.”
One fan wrote on Twitter: “I cried when Hardin walked away. But now I see it wasn’t the end—it was the beginning of him finally choosing peace over pain. Thank you, Hero, for explaining.” Naturally, Hero’s comments have reignited speculation about a potential continuation of the franchise. Could we see Hardin and Tessa again in the future, maybe older, wiser, and ready for something new? “I never say never,” Hero teased. “There’s always more to explore. But if this really is the end, I’m proud of it. I think we told a story that’s honest—and sometimes that’s more powerful than a perfect one.”