Nick Rivers, a popular American rock star known for his hit song "Skeet Surfin'," finds himself caught in an unexpected adventure while visiting East Germany for a cultural festival. Unbeknownst to him, the event serves as a cover for a covert military operation orchestrated by the East German government, which aims to reunify Germany under their control. During a dinner scene, Nick meets Hillary Flammond, a member of the local resistance movement who is trying to stay under the radar to avoid the authorities. To help her, he pretends to be her date, which leads to a lively impromptu performance of the classic song "Tutti Frutti." His lively antics amuse the diners and are appreciated by Hillary, but they irk General Streck, the mastermind behind the reunification plot, who disapproves of Nick's interference.
The story intensifies as Nick later encounters Hillary at a ballet performance, where she expects to meet her resistance leader. Instead, police arrive, forcing the couple into a desperate escape. Nick demonstrates his bravery by turning himself in so Hillary can slip away, starting a chain of events that propel him into perilous captivity. He is taken to a prison, where he faces interrogation and torture, but remains unwavering and refuses to disclose any information, demonstrating his courage. During an escape attempt, Nick stumbles upon a secret laboratory run by the brilliant scientist Dr. Paul Flammond, played by Oskar Homolka, who is developing a deadly device called the Polaris naval mine. This weapon has the potential to wipe out the entire NATO submarine fleet and is part of the East Germans' plan to dominate and control.
Nick becomes a hostage with his life under threat as the East Germans coerce him into working on the weapon. They threaten his daughter, Hillary, pressuring him to comply. Eventually, Nick is recaptured and faces a grim fate of execution. However, the East Germans decide he must perform on stage to prevent an international incident, forcing him into a musical act filled with catchy songs like "How Silly Can You Get" and "Spend This Night with Me." His performance captivates the local girls, and to everyone's surprise, Hillary rescues him from the chaos just as he finishes his set. The two then share a romantic night in a cozy loft of a Swedish bookstore, where Nick serenades Hillary with "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" Their bond deepens as they spend the night together.
The following morning, Nick and Hillary are moved to a place humorously called the "Potato Farm," where they reunite with members of the French Resistance. Among them is Nigel "The Torch," portrayed by Richard Marner, who used to be Hillary's lover during their youth stranded on an island. Their reunion is complicated by Hillary's lingering feelings for Nigel, but they realize they must work together to continue the fight. After successfully fending off an attack orchestrated by a mysterious traitor (revealed later as Nigel himself), they head to a local pizza restaurant. Nick proves his loyalty and identity once again by performing for the locals, demonstrating his talent with the song "Straighten Out the Rug."
The resistance group then plans a daring rescue operation for Dr. Flammond. Disguised as a cow, Nigel and another leader attempt to disable the prison’s defenses, leading to a comedic yet tense infiltration. Despite Nigel turning out to be the traitor, his plans are foiled when an overly amorous and confused bull causes chaos inside the prison, preventing his escape. Nick successfully rescues Hillary and her father, engaging in an underwater bar fight that showcases his bravery. With their escape imminent, Hillary chooses to accompany Nick and her father back to America, ending their dangerous adventure on a note of hope and love.
Throughout this story filled with humor, espionage, and musical numbers, "What's After the Movie" captures a playful parody of Cold War spy films, blending action, comedy, and memorable tunes. It depicts how an unsuspecting rock star becomes an unlikely hero in a game of international espionage, love, and sacrifice, all set against the backdrop of Cold War tensions and absurdly entertaining situations.
