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What Happened Was...

1994·Movie
1h 31min

Where to watch

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What Happened Was... fingerprint

Funny, immersive world, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension6
  • Adrenaline2
  • Scare1

Heart

Melancholic and moving

  • Melancholy8
  • Pathos7
  • Family Dynamics6

Humor

Plenty of sharp wit and cringe comedy

  • Wit & Wordplay8
  • Cringe Humor7
  • Situational Comedy2

World

Everyday modern life, the mind, and society

  • Dialogue Centrality10
  • Ambiguity8
  • Novelty7

Craft

Standout dialogue, performances, and characters

  • Dialogue Quality10
  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Editing7
  • Cinematography5
  • Music Composition5

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want fast pacing

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Comedy. Romance. Terror. The perfect first date.

Jackie and Michael are coworkers at a large law firm. They decide to meet at Jackie's for dinner one night.
Independent FilmMinimalist DramaDialogue-DrivenPsychological TensionWorkplace RomanceSocial AwkwardnessCharacter StudyClaustrophobic Setting

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about What Happened Was...

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream What Happened Was... legally?

What Happened Was... is included with a subscription to Philo, Night Flight+, and OVID in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Plex, Fawesome, and Cineverse. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is What Happened Was... worth watching?

68
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 68/100 (IMDb 7.3, Rotten Tomatoes 91%, and Metacritic 71). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How long is What Happened Was...?

1 h 31 min

What Happened Was... runs 1 h 31 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on What Happened Was...?

Critics81
Audiences76

Yes. Critics average 81 and audiences 76 out of 100, so both groups see What Happened Was... much the same way.

What language is What Happened Was... in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch What Happened Was...?

138ADAEAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBFBG+124

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for What Happened Was... in 138 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.