Splitsville

Carey (Kyle Martin) is devastated when his wife Ashley (Adria Arjona) demands a divorce. He, literally, runs to his best friends, Julie (Dakota Johnson) and Paul (Michael Angelo Covino), to be consoled. Then, they tell him their secret to a happy marriage in "Splitsville."

Robin's Review: B

Despondent by the sudden, unnerving request from his bride of a year, Carey needs comforting. Thus, Julie and Paul. Once he tells them his woes, they declare that they are in an open marriage, a decision they make because Julie "knows," when Paul goes away on his frequent business, he cheats on her.

With nowhere else to go, they put him up in their home. When Paul goes off on yet another business trip, Carey and Julie are left alone – and the "open" marriage really opens up. Then, when he goes back to his own home, he tells Ashley that he embraces a free love relationship. She goes plumb crazy and a bevy of hunky guys begin passing through their once home.

I had expected, from the short description, a four-way romantic triangle with Carey, Ashley, Julie and Paul all swapping, if you will excuse the expression, spit. That could have been mildly amusing but not too substantial. Instead, first-time feature director Michael Angelo Covino and co-writer Kyle Marvin take the "open marriage" concept and turn it on its head.

For Paul and Julie, bad news looms and their financial security is put at great risk, all because of Paul. His frequent business trips and supposed affairs turn out a sham as he loses everything – without telling Julie. That does not go well for him.

For Carey, he becomes a new man who now has new possibilities on the horizon while Ashley realizes what she has done, not in her favor, and may have lost. But, do not worry; this is one of those movies where everyone lives happily ever after, Sort of.

The focus of the story is on Everyman Carey who, until Ashley dumps him, is pretty clueless. His friends' declaration blows his mind and, at first, he reacts with disbelief – and fascination. It is a catalyst for the normally mundane Carey, giving them a full character arc. The others in the quartet of character do not get fleshed out quite as well, but still entertaining.

As rom-coms go, this is solidly funny – not laugh out loud hilarious but still funny. The "star" of the film. Dakota Johnson, is first among equals as the rest of the cast is given equal, if not greater, attention, making for a well-played ensemble.

Neon released "Splitsville" in select theaters on 8/22/25, expanding on 8/29.25.