Writer Anna Todd’s new movie, After We Collided continues the story of Tessa and Hardin and is out for fans to enjoy. But let’s take a look back at the first film that premiered in 2019. The film was an on-screen adaptation of her popular Wattpad story that was published into a novel titled, After.
It starred Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Josephine Langford in the title roles of Hardin and Tessa. The movie created quite a stir for fans due to some of the major changes that were made from the book. Some felt that the changes didn’t capture some of the key emotions from the novel while some details were kept the same to develop the needed storyline.
Fans can agree that Molly in the first film isn’t a likable character. She has a thing for Hardin and possibly had a fling or two or more. In the book, Molly does have a jealous and destructive character like in the film. Except the film doesn’t showcase how destructive she can really be.
Molly at first shows disdain towards Tessa for stealing away Hardin’s gaze and attention. In the end, she realizes that Hardin might be falling for her beyond their dare. In a form of retaliation, she show’s Tessa the video of him making the bet to make her fall in love. In the book, Molly is a bit more exaggerated.
One of the differences between the film and book that Anna Todd discusses in her interview is in regard to the gender switches of some of her characters. She specifically talks about the character Tristan played by actress Pia Mia in the film. In the book, Tristan is originally meant to be male.
Tristan is one of the love interests of another character named Steph. Todd explained, “We need to be more diverse in race, in sexuality, it just, it fits and it makes perfect sense for me.” Fans were a bit surprised by the change seeing as Steph also has a romantic relationship with another male character in the book, Professor Soto.
Josephine Langford as Tessa in After film
The film and book wouldn’t be much if it weren’t for Tessa’s good girl nature. She was sheltered most of her life and grew up with a single mom. She played it safe. That is until she went to college and met Hardin Scott. Tessa’s good girl demeanor plays a key role in the film and book as it pushes forward the dynamics needed for the story.
In both, Tessa is hesitant to take part in most things she’s never done before. That’s including the party or even getting to know Hardin on a “friend” basis. The voice in her head telling her right from wrong goes a bit haywire as she starts to fall for Hardin. But in the movie, she does have a bit more agency over herself.
Slema Blair in her role as Carol, Tessa’s mother in After
One difference from the book that fans noticed was involving Tessa’s mom Carol. She was played by actress Selma Blair. Whether it was Selma Blair’s acting or the changes in the script, Carol wasn’t as bad as a mom as she was in the book. Fans felt that the film version was more relatable and nicer to Tessa.
You: 10 Of The Biggest Differences Between The Books And Show
In the book, Carol is much more demanding and domineering over her daughter. Whenever she would show up in the book something bad would happen. But fans found their on-screen relationship to be heart-warming at times instead of insufferable.
The sexual elements between the book and film can be divided into being the same and being different. This was mostly due to the fact that a lot of the sexual content was kept for the sequel film. But the film did stay true to some of the sexual content that takes place in the first book.
It would be hard to not include some aspect of it as it plays a major role in Hardin and Tessa’s relationship when Tessa finally lets her guard down and trusts him. It’s meant to be her sexual awakening. There are only two scenes throughout the film, but the gravity of their sexual relationship won’t be seen until the sequel.
What fans found surprising about the film was how much they dimmed down Hardin’s violent character from the book. In the book, Hardin says many harsh and vile words to Tessa throughout that would make anyone cringe. But the film only really shows one major fit when he finds out his dad is getting married.
The book gave Hardin a big potty mouth that constantly insults Tessa. Hardin is also more prone to violence. Not to mention the bad boy vibe is much stronger in the book and cruder. There are many dirty words exchanged that are not PG-13. The film version has a softer side and isn’t so possessive of Tessa..yet.
Same: The House Party
Tessa and Hardin house party scene, After film
The house party that Steph forces Tessa to go to is the major shift for the rest of the film. This is also true in the book. The house party is when Hardin really gets under Tessa’s skin and pushes him to do the dare or the bet. They play truth or dare and Tessa is dared to kiss Hardin after they question her about being a virgin.
It never occurs as Tessa is somewhat offended. This hurts Hardin’s bad-boy persona and pushes him to do the unthinkable. It was a good idea to keep the party scene in the film seeing as it creates the underlying premise for the rest of the film as it did in the book.
Different: The Apology And End Scene
Hardin’s apology essay, After film
The book was much more realistic in the way it ended Tessa and Hardin’s relationship. After she finds out the dark secret Hardin was hiding from her, she is distraught and leaves him. One of the things fans couldn’t help but notice was the way Hardin apologizes to Tessa.
He apologizes to her by letting out his feelings about love in their final English class paper. Many fans found this peculiar and weren’t on board. Also, at the end, Tessa is seen going to see Hardin at the lake. This doesn’t occur in the film but it sets up the possible rekindling of the relationship.
Same: The Toxic Relationship Between Hardin And Tessa
Tessa after finding out the truth, After film
The movie did dumb down just how toxic their relationship could be but it still showcases just how bad it really was. Fans could agree that Hardin in the book was far ruder than the film but they would also agree that it still showed how bad he was for Tessa. To start, he plays with her emotions since the house party.
He coerces her into swimming nude at the lake and kissing her even though she had reservations due to being in a relationship. Just when Tessa starts to open up, he shuts down and insults her at the diner saying she’s naive to think he’ll date. He also falls in love with her but doesn’t have the guts to tell her the truth about the dare. The book makes it far worse when it comes to how bad Hardin really is.
Different: The Proof Of The Bet And Keeping An Eye On Tessa
Hardin shows Tessa the apartment, After film
The number one major difference fans couldn’t get past was just how far Hardin was willing to go to win the bet. To start, the film changed the dare to being about making Tessa fall in love with him. In reality, the dare was to see if Hardin could take her virginity.
Throughout the book, details of the dare are revealed. Hardin made up an excuse for Tessa and kept the bloodied sheets from their night together to show his friends as proof. There was also the issue of the apartment. In the film, Hardin makes Tessa believe that she’s more than willingly allowed to stay there after her mother cuts her off. In the book, Hardin manipulates Tessa into signing a lease so she won’t leave him.
