The thing about the adaptation After, from Anna Todd’s bestselling novel, is it never dips to low enough standards to be categorically bad.

If anything, save for a rather bland final twist, it’s a film that will neither anger you or fill you with joy. It ends with a shoulder-shrug and a sigh.

Perhaps I’m not the target audience, but I couldn’t connect with this story about star college student Tessa (Josephine Langford) and dark, brooding Hardin (Hero Fiennes Tiffin).

The leads had chemistry and the acting was fine, but an indifferent script never really brought these characters to life.

There’s little conflict, and what intrigue is jammed in here feels forced and unearned.

This film is by far not one of the worst of the year. It just certainly isn’t one of the best. If you’re looking for anything off the well-trodden romance genre path, it just won’t be what you’re after.

2/5 Stars