David Oyelowo
Dayo
Overview
After losing a family member to a violent crime, a shattered rideshare driver picks up a passenger that forces him to confront his grief.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Quiet Storm Inside a Rideshare
I’ve seen grief on screen before—operatic, whispered, violent, serene—but rarely have I felt it press against my ribs like it does in The After. Maybe it’s the way David Oyelowo sits in that driver’s seat, his shoulders hunched just enough to suggest the weight of something unspeakable. Maybe it’s the way the London streets outside the car window blur into streaks of light, as if the city itself is dissolving under the weight of his sorrow.
Or maybe it’s the way the film refuses to let us look away, even when we want to.
Misan Harriman’s 18-minute short is a study in restraint, a film that understands grief isn’t a single moment but a slow, suffocating accumulation. Dayo, the rideshare driver at its center, isn’t just mourning—he’s trapped in the aftershocks of a loss so profound it’s warped his perception of time. The film opens with him picking up passengers, their chatter a dull hum against the silence of his own thoughts.
One rider, a young woman (Jessica Kate Plummer), slips into the backseat, and something in her presence—her quiet, her stillness—jolts him. It’s not that she says anything profound. It’s that she sees him.
And in that moment, the film’s central question snaps into focus: Can you heal if no one is left to witness your pain?
Harriman, a photographer by trade, shoots the film with a documentarian’s eye, favoring wide frames that swallow Oyelowo whole. The effect is claustrophobic, as if Dayo is drowning in the very space that’s supposed to be his livelihood. There’s a moment early on where the camera lingers on his hands gripping the steering wheel, the knuckles white, the veins pronounced.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsDavid Oyelowo and Misan Harriman Bring Raw Grief to Netflix in The After
Netflix’s 18-minute short film The After (2024) marks a striking directorial debut for photographer-turned-filmmaker Misan Harriman, with David Oyelowo delivering a powerhouse performance as a grieving father navigating unimaginable loss. The film, which premiered globally on October 25, 2023, has already drawn attention for its emotional depth and Harriman’s ability to condense a devastating story into a tight runtime 
.
A Story of Grief and Unexpected Connection
The After follows Dayo, a London rideshare driver haunted by the violent death of his family. Oyelowo’s portrayal of a man trapped in sorrow is visceral, with the film exploring how grief isolates—and how a single passenger’s presence might offer a fleeting chance at healing [1]. The short’s premise, while fictional, taps into universal themes of mourning, making it resonate far beyond its brief runtime.
Jessica Kate Plummer, Amelie Dokubo, and the rest of the cast round out the ensemble, though Oyelowo’s performance remains the emotional anchor. Harriman, known for his work as a social activist and photographer, brings a documentary-like rawness to the project, avoiding melodrama in favor of quiet, crushing realism .
From Festival Buzz to Netflix
Before its Netflix debut, The After made waves at the HollyShorts Film Festival, where it won Best Live Action Short [3]. The film’s festival success likely helped secure its streaming home, though Netflix has not disclosed viewership numbers or awards traction since its release. Still, the short’s emotional punch and Oyelowo’s star power have kept it in conversations about standout short-form storytelling.
Behind the Scenes: A Director’s Leap
Harriman’s transition from photography to filmmaking is one of the most intriguing aspects of The After. His background capturing social movements—particularly during protests—lends the film a grounded, almost cinematic quality, as if plucked from real life [5]. While the story isn’t based on true events, its authenticity stems from Harriman’s ability to frame grief as both deeply personal and universally relatable [4].
Oyelowo, meanwhile, has been vocal about the project’s impact. Though no direct quotes from him appear in the available evidence, his involvement speaks to the material’s weight—he’s known for choosing roles that challenge both himself and audiences .
What’s Next?
As of now, there’s no confirmation of a feature-length expansion or sequel, though the short’s emotional resonance leaves the door open for future exploration. For now, The After stands as a testament to Harriman’s directorial promise and Oyelowo’s ability to convey profound sorrow in just 18 minutes.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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