The film centers around Carolyn and Ben Ryan, a couple living in a small town in Massachusetts with their teenage children, Jacob and Judith. Their lives are turned upside down when Jacob’s girlfriend, Martha Taverner, is found murdered in the nearby woods. The evidence points to Jacob as the prime suspect, and he is arrested and charged with Martha’s murder.
As the Ryans struggle to cope with the shocking accusation against their son, they are forced to confront the truth about their family and their community. Carolyn, a doctor, is determined to prove Jacob’s innocence and begins her own investigation into Martha’s death. Ben, a successful lawyer, is torn between his loyalty to his son and his duty to seek justice.
As the trial unfolds, dark secrets emerge that threaten to tear the family apart. Carolyn and Ben must confront their own failings as parents and grapple with the realization that they may not know their son as well as they thought.
In the climax of the film, the truth about Martha’s murder is finally revealed, leading to a dramatic courtroom showdown. Jacob’s fate hangs in the balance as the jury deliberates his guilt or innocence.
“Before and After” is praised for its gripping storyline, nuanced performances, and exploration of themes such as family, guilt, and redemption. The film offers a thought-provoking examination of the complexities of human nature and the bonds that hold families together in times of crisis.