Logo What's After the Movie

What Happened Was... 1994

In the gritty backdrop of New York City, Jackie and Michael agree to an unusual first date. Their awkward conversation gradually exposes the underlying sadness and emotional baggage they both carry. The encounter becomes a darkly comedic and poignant exploration of loneliness and unfulfilled desires as they navigate the complexities of their lives and attempt to connect with one another.

In the gritty backdrop of New York City, Jackie and Michael agree to an unusual first date. Their awkward conversation gradually exposes the underlying sadness and emotional baggage they both carry. The encounter becomes a darkly comedic and poignant exploration of loneliness and unfulfilled desires as they navigate the complexities of their lives and attempt to connect with one another.

Does What Happened Was... have end credit scenes?

No!

What Happened Was... does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of What Happened Was...

Explore the complete cast of What Happened Was..., including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for What Happened Was...

See how What Happened Was... is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where What Happened Was... stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

71

Metascore

tbd

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

%

TOMATOMETER

review

0%

User Score

IMDb

7.2 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

71

%

User Score

Awards & Nominations for What Happened Was...

Explore awards

Discover all the awards and nominations received by What Happened Was..., from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how What Happened Was... and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


10th Independent Spirit Awards 1995

Nomination

Best Female Lead

Karen Sillas
Tom Noonan
Nomination

Best First Screenplay

Tom Noonan

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for What Happened Was...

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from What Happened Was.... Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


WHAT HAPPENED WAS... Trailer

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


minimal castdinner dateloft apartmentbased on playnew york cityparalegalfirst dateapartmentindependent filmpunctuation in titleone night timespandownward spiraltwo handerdatesecretaryconversationlawstop motionreal timestorytellinganswering machine messagecakemonitorhidden cameradinner tableactor director writerdialogue drivenchildren's storyloneliness

Similar Movies You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.