The final chapter of the After franchise, After Everything, promises an emotional rollercoaster—and if the newly released exclusive clip is any indication, fans should prepare themselves for a darker, more introspective ride. In the scene, we see Hardin Scott, played by Hero Fiennes Tiffin, retreat into the very habits he fought so hard to leave behind.
Gone is the hopeful, healing version of Hardin we glimpsed in earlier films. In his place stands a man torn apart by guilt, heartbreak, and unresolved trauma. The brief yet powerful clip shows Hardin stumbling through dimly lit streets, his eyes vacant, his hands trembling—an ominous symbol of regression into his old, self-destructive patterns.
It’s a stark reminder: healing isn’t linear. And for Hardin, the battle isn’t just against the world—it’s against himself.
The Man We Thought He Was Becoming
When we last saw Hardin, he was attempting to mend his ways. His relationship with Tessa Young (Josephine Langford) had forced him to confront his inner demons, face his painful past, and open up in ways that once seemed impossible. He started writing, processing, and even dreaming of a different life—one built on stability and love.
But After Everything makes it clear: pain doesn’t vanish just because you want it to. Sometimes, even when you’re on the brink of redemption, one moment of despair can send you tumbling back down the rabbit hole.
The exclusive clip doesn’t feature dialogue—but it doesn’t need to. The imagery speaks volumes. Hardin stands outside a club, cigarette in hand, watching the chaos inside like a ghost haunting his own past. A woman brushes against him, laughter and music spill into the street, and he doesn’t flinch. He’s disconnected, floating, almost numb.
Why This Scene Matters
This isn’t just a throwaway moment for aesthetic melancholy. It’s a pivotal insight into Hardin’s psyche—and the emotional core of After Everything as a film. It shows that for some people, especially those carrying unresolved trauma, growth isn’t a straight line. Setbacks are real. And in Hardin’s case, incredibly dangerous.
His old habits—drinking, fighting, shutting down—are not just coping mechanisms. They’re a wall he built to protect himself from the pain of abandonment, betrayal, and grief. And as much as he tried to tear that wall down with Tessa, it’s always been there, waiting for a moment of weakness.
In the clip, the camera lingers on his face, and what we see isn’t rage—it’s emptiness. It’s grief. And that makes it even more haunting.
The Weight of Tessa’s Absence
Though Tessa is not in this particular clip, her presence—or lack thereof—is felt deeply. Her absence in Hardin’s life has left a void, and this moment appears to come at a time when he feels irreparably disconnected from her.
For fans of the series, the relationship between Hardin and Tessa is the heart of the story. It’s messy, raw, and often painful—but it’s also deeply human. Their chemistry was always electric, but it was the emotional intimacy that truly captivated audiences.
Now, with Hardin drifting further from the man Tessa believed he could be, the question lingers: is there still hope for them?
The Realism of Relapse
Hardin’s character arc has always flirted with danger. He’s not your typical romantic lead—he’s volatile, angry, and unpredictable. But what makes him compelling is his willingness to evolve. In After We Collided and After We Fell, we saw glimpses of change. He tried to become better, for Tessa and for himself.
But as this new clip makes clear, growth can be undone. In real life, people relapse—not just into substance use, but into behaviors and mindsets that once kept them safe. Isolation, denial, emotional shutdown—these are all very real parts of recovery.
After Everything isn’t romanticizing this fall. It’s showing the cost of it. And that honesty may just make it the most emotionally powerful installment yet.
Hero Fiennes Tiffin’s Performance: Quietly Devastating
While much of the After series relies on explosive fights and passionate declarations, this clip is stunning in its restraint. Hero Fiennes Tiffin delivers one of his most mature performances yet, using minimal expression to convey overwhelming pain.
His eyes do the heavy lifting—flickering between hopelessness and defiance, shame and longing. Without a single word, he brings us into Hardin’s internal collapse. It’s a reminder that Fiennes Tiffin has grown with the role, and is more than capable of carrying this final chapter on his shoulders.
What’s at Stake in ‘After Everything’
This clip sets the tone for a story that’s not about romantic fluff—it’s about survival. Hardin must choose between the comfort of chaos and the terrifying vulnerability of change. He can fall back into the habits that once defined him, or he can fight for something more. But unlike in previous films, this isn’t just about winning Tessa back. It’s about Hardin figuring out who he is without her. Can he be whole without leaning on someone else to save him? Can he truly heal if he’s unwilling to confront the darkest parts of himself?
That’s the question After Everything dares to ask. And if this early scene is any indicator, the answers won’t come easy. For fans who’ve followed Hardin and Tessa from the very beginning, After Everything promises both closure and catharsis. This exclusive clip shows that the film isn’t afraid to go deep—to explore pain, relapse, and emotional complexity in ways that feel honest and raw. Hardin’s return to old habits isn’t a betrayal of his growth—it’s a reminder that healing is a battle. And sometimes, the hardest person to forgive is yourself. As we await the full release of After Everything, one thing is clear: this isn’t just a love story. It’s a survival story. And Hardin Scott is still fighting.
