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Thriller

What Lies Ahead (2019): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

What Lies Ahead (2019) movie poster

What Lies Ahead is a 2019 thriller directed by Rob Gardner, starring Rumer Willis as Raven, Emma Dumont and James Harper. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes. Its Echo Score is 31/100. Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

What Lies Ahead (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 28m (88 min)
Director
Rob Gardner
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is What Lies Ahead About?

The premise of What Lies Ahead without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

When two young women set out on a road trip from Georgia to New York, their journey is unexpectedly threatened by a growing, unseen danger. As they travel, the peril intensifies, forcing them to confront a mysterious force and the challenges of the open road.

Where to watch

Where to Watch What Lies Ahead

Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

What Lies Ahead Cast & Characters

Rumer Willis leads the cast as Raven, with Emma Dumont as Jessica and James Harper as Buddy. Directed by Rob Gardner; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in What Lies Ahead

· 4 more
Ratings

What Lies Ahead Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 31/100, strongest in character & emotion (45) and weakest in art & craft (20).

31 /100

What Lies Ahead Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall quality, the film struggles to engage due to a combination of uneven craftsmanship and a lackluster narrative. While the lead performances receive occasional commendation, the predominance of technical flaws and a predictable plot diminish its impact. Viewers report persistent issues with direction, sound, and visual execution that outweigh the sporadic strengths. Consequently, the movie offers limited appeal for both first‑time and repeat viewings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 20

    In terms of direction and visual execution, the film exhibits noticeable deficiencies. Critics note a lack of finesse in direction, and multiple viewers comment on cheap cinematography, poor audio levels, and repetitive car‑camera setups. Production design appears minimal, contributing to a sense of austerity rather than purposeful style. Editing offers little relief, resulting in a monotonous pacing that underscores the overall technical shortcomings.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When evaluating acting and character depth, the film presents a stark divide. Some reviewers praise Willis and Dumont for delivering nuanced, engaging performances, yet a substantial portion criticize the broader cast for flat delivery and insufficient emotional resonance. The lead actress receives repeated remarks of inadequate skill, undermining character credibility. Overall, the sporadic strengths are insufficient to compensate for the pervasive weaknesses in performance quality.

  • Story & Flow 35

    The narrative suffers from predictability and structural gaps. Reviewers frequently mention plot holes, an over‑familiar premise, and a sluggish buildup to the climax. While a few acknowledge moments of intrigue, the overall pacing feels uneven, and critical plot points are introduced without sufficient context. This combination of weak originality and inconsistent storytelling hampers audience engagement throughout the film.

  • Sensory Experience 30

    Auditory and visual elements provide little enhancement to the viewing experience. Several comments highlight poor sound mixing, low audio levels, and an absence of a compelling score. Visually, the reliance on static car‑interior shots and unremarkable cinematography contributes to a bland aesthetic. The sensory design fails to create an immersive atmosphere, further diminishing overall impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 25

    Repeat viewings are unlikely to yield additional appreciation. The majority of feedback indicates minimal desire to revisit the film, citing its repetitive structure and lack of memorable moments. Only a small segment of reviewers suggest potential value in catching subtle performance details, but this sentiment does not outweigh the prevailing disinterest. Consequently, the rewatch factor remains low.

Plot

What Lies Ahead Plot Summary

What happens in What Lies Ahead from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Rick Grimes leads the group of survivors from Atlanta toward Fort Benning after the destruction of the CDC, determined to keep everyone moving and safe. He tries to reach Morgan Jones to check in, but the line goes dead, leaving him with uneasy silence and a heavy sense of responsibility.

Full summary

The whole story of What Lies Ahead, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

What Lies Ahead Trailers & Videos

The trailer of What Lies Ahead.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know What Lies Ahead?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who leads the group from Atlanta toward Fort Benning after the destruction of the CDC?

Cars

Cars in What Lies Ahead

8 cars on screen, including the 2015 Ford Focus and the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria.

All 8 cars
  • 2015 Ford Focus in What Lies Ahead 2015 Ford Focus Featured role
  • 2006 Ford Crown Victoria in What Lies Ahead 2006 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
  • 2015 Ford Focus in What Lies Ahead 2015 Ford Focus Minor role
  • 2015 Porsche Macan 95B in What Lies Ahead 2015 Porsche Macan 95B Minor role
Details

What Lies Ahead Also Known As

Also known as “De Carona com o Perigo”.

Also known as
  • De Carona com o Perigo

Seen What Lies Ahead?

FAQ

What Lies Ahead FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch and post-credit scenes of What Lies Ahead, each answered in a sentence.

How long is What Lies Ahead?

What Lies Ahead runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).

When was What Lies Ahead released?

What Lies Ahead was released on March 1, 2019.

Who directed What Lies Ahead?

What Lies Ahead was directed by Rob Gardner.

Who is in the cast of What Lies Ahead?

What Lies Ahead stars Rumer Willis as Raven, Emma Dumont as Jessica and James Harper as Buddy, among 8 credited actors.

Where can I watch What Lies Ahead?

In the US, What Lies Ahead is streaming on Amazon MX Player, Amazon Prime Video and Cineverse and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

Does What Lies Ahead have a post-credit scene?

No. What Lies Ahead has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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