‘What Happens Later’ Trailer Unveiled: Meg Ryan and David Duchovny Stranded in an Airport in Fresh Rom-Com

THE WIDE SHOT

At last, Meg Ryan is gracing us with her sophomore directorial effort—a romantic comedy aptly titled What Happens Later. The film serves as a dual showcase for Ryan, proving she’s a force to be reckoned with both as a thespian and a director. Breaking the mold of your run-of-the-mill rom-coms, the movie plunges into layered dialogues and dissects the intricate web of relationships, forcing its characters to confront their past failures.

Derived from the play Shooting Star by esteemed playwright Steven Dietz, What Happens Later is a joint endeavor between Ryan, Dietz, and playwright Kirk Lynn. The combination promises an original and captivating narrative.

THE SCOOP

Meg Ryan, the queen of the romantic comedy ever since When Harry Met Sally, is back in the director’s chair after an eight-year hiatus. And, boy, is she returning to her roots. The film stars Meg Ryan and David Duchovny of Californication fame, portraying former flames who have a serendipitous encounter at an airport. But here’s the twist—they get stuck in said airport due to flight delays. Now, nobody needs a Ph.D. in Cinema Studies to predict that Meg Ryan would totally slay a rom-com. The trailer for What Happens Later confirms what we all suspected—Ryan makes acting look as easy as Sunday morning and clearly wore the directorial hat with style.

The trailer drops another bombshell: this isn’t your grandma’s romantic comedy. Though it starts with a straightforward setup, the film soon dives into emotional depth, unpacking the characters’ previous relationship failures the longer they’re stuck together in the airport terminal. Anticipate an emotional rollercoaster as the 60-something pair navigate life’s ‘what-ifs’ and ‘could-have-beens.’

THE ROOTS

What Happens Later originates from the stage play Shooting Star by the well-regarded Steven Dietz. Dietz himself adapted his own play for the silver screen, working alongside Meg Ryan and fellow playwright Kirk Lynn to pen the screenplay.

FLASHBACK

Meg Ryan made her directorial debut back in 2015 with Ithaca, a war drama in which she starred. The ensemble cast boasted of heavy-hitters like Tom Hanks, the late Sam Shepard, Hamish Linklater, Gabriel Basso, Jack Quaid, and a young Alex Neustaedter. Ithaca followed the coming-of-age journey of a bicycle messenger witnessing the early stages of World War II.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Don’t forget to mark October 13 on your calendars, folks, because that’s when What Happens Later hits the theaters. Scroll down for the full-length trailer and the official synopsis.

THE OFFICIAL LOWDOWN

What’s the official word on What Happens Later, you ask? Here it is:

Bill (David Duchovny) and Willa (Meg Ryan), former paramours, find themselves snowbound at a provincial airport. With flights grounded, the pair—Willa, an eternal optimist, and Bill, forever the pessimist—find themselves as captivated and irked by each other as they were decades ago. As they unearth the enigma of their shared history and measure their current lives against their youthful dreams, they start to question whether their unexpected reunion is sheer happenstance or a twist of fate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about What Happens Later