Performance & Direction: What Happens Next Review
Last updated: February 21, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is What Happens Next (2011) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 4.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and What Happens Next features a noteworthy lineup led by Jon Lindstrom . Supported by the likes of Chris Murrah and Natalia Cigliuti , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: What Happens Next
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2011, What Happens Next is a Drama, Comedy, Romance film directed by Jay Arnold. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jon Lindstrom.
Ending Explained: What Happens Next
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Jay Arnold, What Happens Next attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Jon Lindstrom, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of What Happens Next reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch What Happens Next?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: What Happens Next
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $200.0K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
What Happens Next Budget
The estimated production budget for What Happens Next is $200.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: What Happens Next
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch What Happens Next Online?
Streaming HubWhat Happens Next Parents Guide & Age Rating
2011 AdvisoryWondering about What Happens Next age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of What Happens Next is 100 minutes (1h 40m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 4.7/10, and global performance metrics, What Happens Next is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2011 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is What Happens Next worth watching?
What Happens Next is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 4.7/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find What Happens Next parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for What Happens Next identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of What Happens Next?
The total duration of What Happens Next is 100 minutes, which is approximately 1h 40m long.
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Critic Reviews for What Happens Next
How come I never go for a walk in the park and meet an eligible CEO who is just about to sell his company? Well that’s what happens when the young “Andy” (Chris Murrah) is sitting on a bench with his dog and he is joined by “Paul” (Jon Lindstrom) who has just acquired his new pup and they duly bond over doggie stories. Over a period of time, they begin to get to know each other and we quickly establish the former is a gay lad whilst the latter is constantly being harangued by his sister “Elise” (Wendie Malick) to meet a nice lady. The more she pushes, the more he finds himself drawn to his new young friend but having been so dedicated on his business for his life so far, has he the faintest idea how the whole courting game works - boy or girl? It’s got the look of a television movie about it from start to finish, has some terribly cheesy dialogue and is about as predicable as the sun coming up in Jamaica - except possibly, for Malick who brings a little hutzpah to this otherwise routine drama. It does focus a little on age-gap politics, and on assumptions ill-informed people can jump to but sadly it does nothing particularly originally and leaves us with little of substance. Daytime fodder, sorry.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
