The Morning After – Movie Review & Film Summary

Tien and Jay have been hooking up for the past five years. They're not officially dating. It's just sex with no strings attached. Both men live in different cities, but Jay's annual work conference happens nearby. Every year, he makes a quick detour to Tien's place for a casual hookup.

Tien and Jay have an agreement to hook up once a year. The routine works for them, and Jay keeps coming back to Tien's place every time. But Tien has one personal rule. They can have sex, but he doesn't want them to kiss. Due to this Tien's preference, the couple has never kissed for the past five years.

This year, they meet and have sex like usual. The next morning, they sit in bed, sharing a cigarette. Jay gets playful and starts flirting. He leans in for a kiss, but Tien pulls away. He reminds Jay that kissing isn't part of the deal. Jay gets frustrated and doesn't understand why it's off-limits. He asks if Tien has a boyfriend. Tien says no. He broke up with his ex six months ago. Still, he doesn't want to kiss Jay.

Later, they go for a walk and light another cigarette. Jay brings up the no-kissing rule since he wants to understand the reasoning. Tien explains that he takes kissing seriously and doesn't kiss just anyone. Jay pushes back, trying to challenge the rule and test the boundary.

The Morning After is a simple movie about two men who talk and flirt for fifteen minutes. As the title suggests, the story takes place the day after their hookup. We don't see anything physical between them. That ship has already sailed. (Although if they made a prequel called The Night Before, I'd watch it. Eagerly.) With sex out of the picture, the film becomes less about physical attraction and more about emotional connection. It explores whether the characters are compatible as a couple or if they're only suited for a casual fling.

Since the movie relies heavily on conversation, the writing needs to be sharp. To its credit, the dialogue feels natural and flows smoothly. Some of it is flirtatious banter, showing off the easy chemistry between the leads. In one memorable scene, they pretend to talk on the phone with each other. The exchange is cute, playful, and romantic, reminiscent of a classic rom-com moment. At other times, the couple shares anecdotes from their past. These casual stories reveal more about their relationship dynamic. If you listen closely, you can piece together their history.

The Morning After is fuelled by sexual tension between the two leads. It appeals to those who enjoy the "will they, won't they" trope. Jay initiates the flirtation, testing boundaries with his playful charm. Tien pushes back, but not harshly. He maintains a certain distance while showing enough willingness for Jay to keep trying. A central plot is Tien's refusal to kiss Jay. Yes, you can have sex with me. But no, you can't kiss me. The movie teases a few close encounters where the couple is on the verge of a kiss. It leaves you wondering when the moment will finally happen.

Although I enjoy the couple's interactions, I have my doubts. The truth is that not much happens during the film. The characters talk a lot, flirt occasionally, and smoke too many cigarettes together. However, is there enough plot for a movie? Or am I just watching a fifteen-minute conversation stretched out on screen? Typically, I gravitate toward stories with layered characters, complex relationships, and well-developed universes. The Morning After doesn't quite offer that level of depth. It could have been more ambitious and expanded the narrative further.

The leads share decent chemistry, making their flirtation feel genuine and believable. When they talk, I like their relaxed expressions and casual body language. However, their performances are held back because the roles are thinly written, so the actors don't have much to work with. They need more to do besides flirt and banter. The story should create opportunities that let the characters reveal new information about themselves. Give them a hobby to show a different side of their personalities. Or a bonding activity that they can do together besides chain smoking.

A dramatic moment occurs near the end, disrupting the movie's laidback atmosphere. Although the story offers light foreshadowing, the event still feels slightly jarring. Even so, it works as a turning point in the couple's romance. They learn to cherish each other in the future. In the final scene, Tien is asked about the future of his relationship with Jay. The film cuts away at the last second, but the ending feels hopeful. Overall, I enjoyed this charming love story told in fifteen minutes. That said, it's too lightweight and won't be remembered as a titan in the BL genre.