Your guide to what’s going on with the Harry Styles fanfiction turned bestselling book series and movie franchise.
The After movie series, based on the Harry Styles fanfiction turned popular book series of the same name, has spanned four movies so far, with a fifth on the way in September 2023. But portions of its devoted fan base have become increasingly uncomfortable with how Hardin and Tessa’s love story is playing out on screen.
In case you haven’t been following along, the popular franchise, produced by Voltage Pictures, has faced backlash as fans have expressed their growing disappointments because they believe that the storyline was “ruined.” The boiling point came in the wake of its surprise fifth movie announcement, After Everything — which would not primarily feature the love story of its original protagonists (Josephine Langford as Tessa and Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Hardin), but a potential new love interest (played by Sex Education’s Mimi Keene) for Hardin. The trailer, meanwhile, appears to feature Langford through shots of her character recycled from the fourth film, After Ever Happy. Previously, After Ever Happy was intended to be the end of Hessa’s (the portmanteau for the couple) storyline in its current form; Teen Vogue reported in 2021 that a Hardin-centric prequel and a next-generation sequel were planned for the franchise.
Finally, the After social media accounts addressed the controversy — by calling out harassment and cyberbullying of the cast, crew, as well as their friends and families in a post on Instagram from May 11.
“It saddens us to have to write this message but it is necessary given the behavior we have seen from some users,” the announcement states. “If you’re upset with the studio, you have every right to tell us. What’s unacceptable is harassment towards the cast, crew, and equally importantly, their friends and families.”
The release of the statement caused even further upset among followers.
“A movie without the main character is not a movie, and the story is completely distorted from what it is in the book,” one fan wrote. (Langford will be in the movie, though per the trailer it seems as though it will be a reduced role, since her scenes were filmed for previous films.) “Each movie that’s made veers further and further away from the original story/plot of the book,” another said under the post. “This has been going on for YEARS.”
Isabella Bunma, 18, runs three After fan accounts and said she was surprised by the statement. “I don’t condone bullying,” she tells Teen Vogue. “And it’s definitely right for them to address it, but if we’re addressing behaviors, we should also address [fan concerns as well].”
These fandom frustrations have come alongside various changes in the series, which has had three different directors so far. The shock of a surprise fifth movie was divisive among fans, who shared their concerns for the sudden changes in cast and plot, while they felt deeper issues went unaddressed. “I was there in real time [when the fifth movie was announced]. [The movie] was not supposed to happen,” Bunma says. “Four movies was enough. I think [director] Castille Landon did enough with the third and fourth movies, she acknowledged the fans and did her best.”
Many fans also pointed out that After’s original author, Anna Todd, parted ways with Voltage Pictures as a producer on the series after the second movie, and no longer follows the official movie account.
Speculation escalated as Todd continued to share cryptic posts about her exasperation with film studios in general, causing fans to wonder about a possible feud between the author and the studio — though if that’s the case, it would not be uncommon in Hollywood. Once a studio options a work, authors are not often granted a ton of creative control, which can result in conflict.
As Todd told CinemaBlend about her no longer being involved with the films, “I have my own version of what I know has kind of happened, so I think when you’re adapting novels and making movies it’s different than [writing novels]. And, you know Castille [Landon] is great. She’s such a powerhouse, she’s gonna have an amazing career. But, for me it feels a little strange to have someone writing like the history of my characters that’s not accurate. So for me, I’m like, okay, this is where I get off the train.”
Langford also told StyleCaster in 2021 that her involvement in her role as Tessa would depend on where the character’s journey ended. “I would want to come back if it was important, and it made sense,” she said. “I’m not a fan of overstaying your welcome. It can sometimes dampen a good thing if you’re creating something and it’s canon, and it doesn’t have a reason.”
Still, fans are left with unanswered questions about the plot, characters, and whether Voltage is listening to the fandom. “We were forced to accept changes to the original story line, characters, original actors/actresses and now this? This story does not feel the same,” one wrote under the May 11 Instagram statement. “We just want to know the truth,” another said.
“The After franchise has been ruined because of these movies and Voltage are only to blame,” one fan commented.
Representatives of Voltage Pictures and Anna Todd have not yet responded to Teen Vogue’s requests for comment.
Fan J.M. Hughes, 25, who commented under After’s May 11th statement, tells Teen Vogue that the amount of drama has been “overwhelming” for her and many fans, who she said are predominantly young women. “Being in a fandom is supposed to be happy and fun and sunshine, but I’ve had panic attacks because I’m so stressed, people have permanently deleted their accounts,” Hughes says. “They see what people are saying but they just don’t care.”
Bunma says while she hasn’t been as personally affected by the controversy, she understands why many fans are experiencing such strong reactions towards the situation.
“Yeah, it’s ultimately just a movie, but a lot of people have different reasons why they resonated with different stories, or a singer, or a movie, on how the subject has touched them,” Bunma says. “That’s why they feel very strongly about whatever has occurred, and want to stand up for those types of people.”
Hughes said that she still would watch the fifth movie, but would be “unwilling” to pay for it. And many fans are feeling the same type of way. “Its crazy how i don’t feel anything for hessa anymore…I miss the way i used to feel about them! after that fifth movie that nobody wanted it’s all ruined,” one tweeted.
Still, many fans are looking forward to the upcoming installment, pointing out that they’re excited to watch heartthrob Hardin Scott take on his own journey. “I don’t know what everyone is going on about,” one fan said on Twitter. “[Tessa] told him it was the end of their journey. So of course the new movie is going to be about him.”
It all raises an interesting question of what fans are owed by the properties they devour — and whose investments fuel profits for studios. “It’s something I’ve loved since high school,” Bunma says. “It’s a story I wouldn’t apply to my real relationships, but I’m so invested in their journey. I want to see the journey and the healing towards the end. That’s what I’m looking forward to watching with my friends. The end is so rewarding, and that’s why we’ve stood by it for so long.”
