Here After (2024)

Here After (2024). 1h 29m | PG-13

“Greetings again from the darkness. Screenwriter Sarah Conradt must think mothers possess superhero emotional strength, if we are to judge by her two most recent films – this one and MOTHERu0026#39;S INSTINCT (also 2024). In this feature film directorial debut from long-time producer Robert Salerno, the mom is really put through the ringer – and we are right there with her.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eClaire (Connie Britton, u0026quot;Nashvilleu0026quot;, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, 2004) beams proudly as her fifteen-year-old daughter, Robin (Freya Hannan-Mills), plays piano in church. Claire also rolls her eyes when her ex-husband/Robinu0026#39;s dad (Giovanni Cirfiera) walks in as the performance nears conclusion. We learn Robin has been non-verbal since age 5, yet sheu0026#39;s a talented enough pianist to be invited to audition for conservatory.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eClaire and Robin have a loving mother-daughter relationship, although Claire seems a bit overprotective at times. Things turn bonkers when Robin is involved in a horrible bicycle accident and is dead for 20 minutes before being miraculously resuscitated at the hospital. Claire is relieved her prayers were answered, however, as so often happens with u0026#39;miraclesu0026#39;, thereu0026#39;s a catch. See, Robin can now speak. Only thatu0026#39;s not the catch. Claire begins to notice Robinu0026#39;s personality is nothing like it was before the accident. Is this due to the trauma or something more sinister from beyond? I believe the filmu0026#39;s title provides a clue.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eReligion is on display throughout the film and in many forms. Also on display is Connie Brittonu0026#39;s RWF (in contrast to RBF). Ms. Britton excels at a constantly u0026#39;worriedu0026#39; look, and is well cast to play the mother role in a film written by Sarah Conradt. Of course, we do discover why Claire has been carrying around all this guilt. Itu0026#39;s also the reason why Robin initially stopped talking at an early age. The final act works off of a tremendously interesting premise, and some will find the execution a bit too artsy for this type of movie, while others will appreciate the approach.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOpening in select theaters and on digital September 13, 2024.”