9 huge differences between the After movies and the books (2024)

23 October 2020, 17:20 | Updated: 28 October 2020, 17:55

After We Collided cast explain why the US release date has been delayed

By Sam Prance

1) Hardin is much less violent in the movies.

In the books, Hardin is much more aggressive. He's violent and he swears a lot. Given that Hardin was originally inspired by Harry Styles, the novels were heavily criticised for wrongly suggesting that the One Direction star is abusive. In response to the backlash, Anna Todd and the people behind the film decided to make Hardin much more approachable on screen.

2) Carol is more of a villain figure in the books.

Much like Hardin, Carol's characterisation is very different in the movies. Instead of being a toxic mother figure, she's made out to be loving and caring. It's unclear if this will change in future films but, for now, movie Carol is much nicer than book Carol.

3) Tristan is a boy in the books.

Yes. You heard that correctly. Tristan may be played by Pia Mia in the films but, in the books, she's a guy. Tristan is Tessa's roommate, Steph's, girlfriend in the movies and her boyfriend in the books. Anna Todd decided it was important to make Tristan a girl in the movies for LGBTQ+ representation.

4) The sex scenes are more graphic in the books.

You think that the movies are steamy? Try reading the books. After We Collided is much more explicit than After but thinks had to be toned down in both movies to make them more commercial.

5) In the After book, it's clearer that Hardin and Tessa breakup.

The first movie ends with viewers unsure whether or not Tessa will take Hardin back. In the book, there's no question to it. Tessa is done with Hardin's bullsh*t until things change in After We Collided.

6) The bet is different in the film to the books.

In the movie, unbeknownst to Tessa, Hardin is dared to make her fall in love with him and then break up with her. However, in the books, he is dared to take her virginity.

7) Hardin keeps his used condom in the books.

We told you Hardin was awful in the books. He literally keeps his used condom and his bloody sheets from having sex with Tessa for the first time as a keepsake to prove he won his bet.

8) Zed appears much less in the After movies.

In the After books, Zed plays a much bigger role as we find out about his feelings for Tessa. In the movies, he's given less screen time. The story revolves much more around the love triangle between Hardin, Tessa and Trevor.

9) 'fcking Trevor' is only said once in After We Collided*.

In the After We Collided book, Trevor is referred to as "f*cking Trevor" multiple times. However, in the After We Collided movie, there's just one scene in which Hardin says it.

QUIZ: Do you belong with Hardin or Trevor from After We Collided?

I'm an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of film adaptations and literary transformations. My knowledge spans not only the creative processes involved but also the intricacies of how storytelling choices shape the final cinematic experience. Now, let's dive into the details of the article you provided, exploring the concepts related to the After movie franchise and its adaptation from the books.

The article discusses the release of "After We Collided" and highlights several significant differences between the film and the books. Here are insights into the concepts mentioned:

Character Portrayal - Hardin's Violence: In the movies, Hardin is portrayed as less violent compared to the books. The article suggests that the character was toned down for the screen, especially in terms of aggression and language. This alteration was made in response to criticisms of the novels wrongly suggesting a connection to Harry Styles and abusive behavior.
Character Changes - Carol's Role: The characterization of Carol, a mother figure in the story, differs between the books and movies. While the books depict her as toxic, the movies present her as a loving and caring figure. It remains unclear if this portrayal will change in future films.
Representation - Tristan's Gender: The article mentions a notable change in the gender of the character Tristan. While portrayed by Pia Mia in the films, Tristan is originally a male character in the books. This alteration was made for LGBTQ+ representation.
Explicit Content - Changes in Sex Scenes: The books are described as having more graphic and explicit sex scenes compared to the toned-down versions presented in both "After" and "After We Collided" movies. Commercial considerations led to the adjustment of these scenes for the cinematic adaptation.
Narrative Clarity - Changes in the Bet: The nature of the bet between Hardin and Tessa is altered in the film. While in the books, the dare involves taking Tessa's virginity, the movie version portrays a different challenge - making her fall in love and then breaking up with her.
Character Actions - Hardin's Keepsake: A particularly controversial detail from the books involves Hardin keeping a used condom and bloody sheets as a keepsake to prove he won the bet. This aspect was modified or omitted in the cinematic adaptation.
Character Development - Zed's Role: Zed, a character with a more substantial role in the books, is given less screen time in the movies. The focus shifts more towards the love triangle involving Hardin, Tessa, and Trevor.
Dialogue - Changes in Trevor's Depiction: The article mentions a specific line, "f*cking Trevor," which is said multiple times in the book but appears only once in the movie, indicating differences in the portrayal of Trevor's character.

These alterations showcase the dynamic process of adapting literature to film, where creative choices are made to cater to different audiences and address various concerns. If you have any specific questions or if there's another aspect you'd like to explore, feel free to let me know!