Queen of rom-coms Meg Ryan returns with new film ‘What Happens Later’

The queen of romantic comedies Meg Ryan is making her comeback. The actress rose to fame with successful blockbusters such as When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle.

After an eight-year break from acting, Ryan is returning to her roots with the upcoming film What Happens Later.  Ryan is also a co-writer and director for the flick, which features The X-Files star David Duchovny as her leading man.

Ryan and Duchovny play Willa and Bill, a former couple who reunite while stranded at the airport. The couple reconnects and slowly wonders what could’ve been, and if there’s hope for them.

The film based on Steven Dietz’s play Shooting Star is scheduled for release on October 13, 2023.

This is the first time Meg Ryan and David Duchovny have worked together

What Happens Later isn’t scheduled for release for another month, but already the film is generating buzz. A trailer for the rom-com gave fans a preview of Ryan and Duchovny’s chemistry, which has sparked plenty of excitement.

While Ryan was familiar with Duchovny’s work and met him on a few occasions, this is the first time the pair have worked together. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ryan praised her co-star as “funny, and he’s smart, and he’s dear and irresistible.”

When it came to storytelling, Ryan drew inspiration from her previous rom-com experience.

"“These rom-comes work when the two characters are somehow opposites and yet have a rhythm of intellect and humor and dialogue and banter that sort of indicates their compatibility. So, it’s just been really fun to see David embrace this guy who I don’t think is anything really like David. Whereas the Willa thing I can relate to.”"

Fans can see if Ryan and Duchovny create another rom-com classic when What Happens Later releases next month.