"After" is a film written and directed by Ryan Smith and was released by the poorly named Quite Quick Productions back in 2012. Somehow it didn't get much attention and this is a sad omission, as there is a lot to like about this film. Fortunately, it is coming out on DVD very soon and I recommend you see it.

The film is quite unusual because it has very few actors who speak in the film. Almost all the dialog (aside from a few flashback scenes) is spoken by just two folks—Freddy (Steven Strait) and Ana (Karolina Wydra).

The film begins with Freddy and Ana striking up an awkward conversation on a bus. Each is headed home from a trip and neither knows each other— though it turns out that they are neighbors. Soon, unexpectedly, the bus has an accident. When the pair awaken, they find that they are the only two people in their home town. Eventually, after wandering about, they find two EXCEPTIONALLY strange things—a fog-like darkness is creeping closer and closer around the town and they occasionally see people who cannot see or hear them. These people, it turns out, are from their memories—family and friends from long ago—some of which are dead. This is pretty awful but things get worse. First, the pair hear a recorded conversation when they enter the hospital and it appears that these people they hear are planning on taking someone off life support— and that someone is Ana!! Second, it only gets worse because there is a monster in the darkness—and soon it comes into the town looking for the pair!

I could say a lot about this plot but really think you just need to see it for yourself. Why? The story is exceptionally taut and engaging—and really appealed to me even though I don't normally like horror films. The writer/director really did a great job here—and it really makes me want to see more work from Ryan Smith. Additionally, while Steven Strait and Karolina Wydra don't have a huge number of credits behind them, they are great in these leading roles. They are really believable and likable—and I also would love to see more of their work in the future.

Oddly, while I really loved "After", some story elements are similar to the god-awful film "Soultaker" (currently on IMDb's list of 100 worst rated films in history). I think it's pretty fair to assume that Ryan Smith didn't try to copy "Soultaker"—after all, who would want to?! But there are some real similarities and it just goes to show you that great direction and acting can possibly take a seemingly bad idea and put it across. And, wow, did they do a good job putting After across! Well worth seeing and surprisingly strong where it counts—at the ending.

I think most people will have more issues with the pacing than the story. Of course that doesn't mean that those same people will not be able to see where this is going (no pun intended). But if you can get yourself into the mood of the movie, you might actually enjoy it. It's slow building and the atmosphere it builds (nice framing/photography) is really good.

Of course quite a lot is depending on the two main actors for obvious reasons. I think they're doing a pretty solid job. So while this is nothing to get over-excited about, it still can make for a nice little watch, if you like movies like that

Ryan Smith co-writes and directs this chilling mystery. Ana(Karolina Wydra)and Freddy(Steven Strait)meet on a bus back to their hometown. After the bus crashes, they realize they are sole survivors of the fateful journey. Ana, a nurse, and Freddy, a comic book artist, figure they must have been in comas a couple of months. They both awake in their own homes and discover there is not another living sole in their small community. When a mysterious dark fog starts to swirl and slowly encircle the center of town, they soon discover there actually is another resident alive. Resident is putting it mildly; it happens to be a chained growling, snarling demonic looking creature that is determined to claw them to death.

Other players include: Sandra Ellis Lafferty, Ric Reitz, Bob Penny, April Billingsley, Madison Lintz and Chase Presley.