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Aftermath is a 2017 American thriller film directed by Elliott Lester and written by Javier Gullón. The movie stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Scoot McNairy and Maggie Grace in lead roles. The film is loosely based on the real-life 2002 Überlingen mid-air collision, where majority of the passengers including a group of children died. The movie shows the aftermath of the tragedy and how it impacts the lives of two strangers.

Arnold Schwarzenegger portrays the character of Roman Melnyk, a construction worker who eagerly awaits to pick up his wife and his pregnant daughter from the airport after a long trip. His plan takes a drastic turn when he arrives at the airport and learns that the plane carrying his family has crashed, killing everyone on board. Roman is filled with grief and has a hard time coming to terms with the tragedy.

On the other hand, Scoot McNairy plays the role of Jake Bonanos, an air traffic controller who was on duty during the scene of accident. He is heartbroken and guilt-ridden after having failed to prevent the collision. Jake is suspended from his job and has troubles coping with the aftermath of the crash.

The two strangers, Roman and Jake, are brought together in the aftermath of the plane crash, and their lives become intertwined. Roman is consumed by the grief of losing his family and struggles to find consolation in anything. Meanwhile, Jake is trying to pick up the pieces of his own life, seeking redemption for what he feels was his own mistake.

The film explores the emotional turmoil both characters face as they struggle to cope with the tragedy. It showcases their contrasting reactions to the same event and the choices they make along the way. The film also delves into the lives of the families of the victims and the impact the tragedy has on their lives.

The movie is a slow burn that takes its time in revealing the layers of the two main characters. It is not an action-movie, but a character study that explores the human condition in the face of tragedy. The film’s direction and screenplay are both restrained, never resorting to shock tactics or melodrama. The cinematography and soundtrack of the film add to the melancholic atmosphere, capturing the desolate emotions of the characters.

Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a subdued and nuanced performance in the movie. It is a departure from his earlier blockbusters, but he manages to portray the depth of his character’s sorrow with sincerity. Scoot McNairy also delivers an exceptional performance as the air traffic controller burdened by guilt. McNairy's performance is introspective and layered, capturing the nuances of his character's internal struggle.

The supporting cast does a decent job of adding substance to the narrative without being overly dramatic. Maggie Grace plays the role of Roman's daughter in flashbacks and memories, bringing life to the character who is no longer with us. Martin Donovan portrays the airport executive and Michal Huisman plays a lawyer, representing the victim’s families.

In conclusion, Aftermath is a beautifully directed and acted film that explores the aftermath of a tragedy. It manages to evoke a range of emotions in the viewer - sadness, grief, anger, and hope. The film remains grounded in reality, with a sympathetic portrayal of the characters and their struggles. It is a refreshing change from the usual action films of Arnold Schwarzenegger and showcases his acting prowess. For those looking for a poignant and contemplative film, Aftermath fits the bill perfectly.

Aftermath is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 44.