After We Collided
Tessa finds herself struggling with her complicated relationship with Hardin; she faces a dilemma that could change their lives forever.
Despite its limited budget of $14.0M, After We Collided became a solid performer, earning $48.0M worldwide—a 243% return. The film's compelling narrative resonated with audiences, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
After We Collided (2020) reveals meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Roger Kumble's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Tessa Young
Hardin Scott
Vance
Kimberly
Trevor
Landon Gibson
Trish
Main Cast & Characters
Tessa Young
Played by Josephine Langford
A dedicated college student whose passionate but turbulent relationship with Hardin threatens her academic future and sense of self.
Hardin Scott
Played by Hero Fiennes Tiffin
A troubled British literature student with a dark past and destructive patterns who struggles to overcome his demons and commitment issues.
Vance
Played by Charlie Weber
Tessa's demanding but supportive boss at the publishing house who offers her career opportunities and guidance.
Kimberly
Played by Candice King
Vance's friendly and warm girlfriend who befriends Tessa and provides a stable relationship model.
Trevor
Played by Dylan Sprouse
Tessa's kind and professional coworker at Vance Publishing who develops feelings for her and represents a stable alternative to Hardin.
Landon Gibson
Played by Shane Paul McGhie
Hardin's kind-hearted stepbrother and Tessa's loyal friend who provides emotional support and moral guidance.
Trish
Played by Louise Lombard
Hardin's caring mother who tries to bridge the relationship between her son and his estranged father.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Tessa flees the party after discovering Hardin's bet, their relationship shattered. She's heartbroken, returning to her dorm alone, trying to process the betrayal.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Hardin appears at Vance Publishing as a new intern, making it impossible for Tessa to avoid him. Their forced proximity reignites the tension between them.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Tessa chooses to give Hardin another chance, kissing him and agreeing to rebuild their relationship. She actively decides to enter this complicated emotional world again., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Tessa discovers Hardin has been hiding his connection to her boss Christian Vance. The revelation that Vance is Hardin's biological father shatters her trust again—he's still keeping secrets., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Tessa finds Hardin in bed with another woman after a drunken night. Devastated and betrayed again, she ends the relationship completely. Her dream of them together dies., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Tessa learns Hardin didn't actually cheat—he was passed out and the woman staged it. She realizes she must decide who she wants to be: someone who runs from love or someone who fights for it., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
After We Collided's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping After We Collided against these established plot points, we can identify how Roger Kumble utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish After We Collided within the romance genre.
Roger Kumble's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Roger Kumble films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. After We Collided takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Roger Kumble filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional romance films include South Pacific, Last Night and Diana. For more Roger Kumble analyses, see Furry Vengeance, Just Friends and College Road Trip.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Tessa flees the party after discovering Hardin's bet, their relationship shattered. She's heartbroken, returning to her dorm alone, trying to process the betrayal.
Theme
Tessa's mother warns her that "some people never change" when discussing Hardin, establishing the central question: can broken people heal and trust again?
Worldbuilding
Tessa tries to move on, starting her internship at Vance Publishing. She reconnects with her mother, avoids Hardin's attempts to apologize, and meets new colleague Trevor who shows interest in her.
Disruption
Hardin appears at Vance Publishing as a new intern, making it impossible for Tessa to avoid him. Their forced proximity reignites the tension between them.
Resistance
Tessa debates whether to forgive Hardin or move on with Trevor. Hardin pursues her relentlessly, explaining his troubled past. Tessa struggles between her head and heart.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Tessa chooses to give Hardin another chance, kissing him and agreeing to rebuild their relationship. She actively decides to enter this complicated emotional world again.
Mirror World
Tessa and Hardin's rekindled romance deepens. Their intimate connection represents the love and vulnerability that will teach Tessa about forgiveness, trust, and her own boundaries.
Premise
Tessa and Hardin navigate their turbulent relationship while she advances at Vance. Passionate reconciliations alternate with fights about his jealousy and secrets. The promise of toxic romance delivered.
Midpoint
Tessa discovers Hardin has been hiding his connection to her boss Christian Vance. The revelation that Vance is Hardin's biological father shatters her trust again—he's still keeping secrets.
Opposition
Tessa pulls away as more of Hardin's past surfaces. His jealousy over Trevor escalates. Family pressures intensify. Hardin's self-destructive patterns worsen as he fears losing her.
Collapse
Tessa finds Hardin in bed with another woman after a drunken night. Devastated and betrayed again, she ends the relationship completely. Her dream of them together dies.
Crisis
Tessa processes the betrayal in darkness, questioning her judgment and ability to trust. She contemplates whether loving Hardin was a mistake and if she should choose stability over passion.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Tessa learns Hardin didn't actually cheat—he was passed out and the woman staged it. She realizes she must decide who she wants to be: someone who runs from love or someone who fights for it.
Synthesis
Tessa confronts Hardin about their toxic patterns and sets boundaries. She chooses to pursue her own path while leaving the door open. Hardin must prove he can change through actions, not words.
Transformation
Tessa stands alone, stronger and more self-aware. Unlike the opening where she fled broken, she now walks away empowered, having learned to value herself even while loving someone complicated.