Keira Knightley finds romance in postwar Germany in The Aftermath trailer

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Keira Knightley loves her some period movies, and her latest, THE AFTERMATH, will take her back to postwar Germany in 1946. The actress plays Rachael Morgan in the upcoming film, which was based upon the novel of the same name by Rhidian Brook, a young woman who travels to meet her husband Lewis (Jason Clarke) in the ruins of Hamburg. Lewis has been tasked with rebuilding the city, but the couple will be sharing their new home with a German widower (Alexander Skarsgard) and his daughter. As one simply can't resist Alexander Skarsgard, Rachael begins falling for him as they attempt to keep their forbidden romance a secret.

Keira Knightley has previously commented on why she takes on so many historical roles, simply put, those are just the types of films she enjoys. "For years I felt quite guilty about it, like it was something that I should try to shake off. Then I realized that these were the films I’ve always loved watching," Knightley explained. "I think some people find escapism through science fiction or fantasy, and I suppose my escapism into another world has always been through period drama. It’s nice that in my 30s I can finally admit that."

The official synopsis of THE AFTERMATH:

The Aftermath is set in postwar Germany in 1946. Rachael Morgan (Keira Knightley) arrives in the ruins of Hamburg in the bitter winter, to be reunited with her husband Lewis (Jason Clarke), a British colonel charged with rebuilding the shattered city. But as they set off for their new home, Rachael is stunned to discover that Lewis has made an unexpected decision: They will be sharing the grand house with its previous owners, a German widower (Alexander Skarsgård) and his troubled daughter. In this charged atmosphere, enmity and grief give way to passion and betrayal.

THE AFTERMATH will hit theater on April 26, 2019.