- Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, Kyle Marvin, Michael Angelo Covino
- March 27th 2026
- 105
- Michael Angelo Covino
The film follows two couples as they navigate divorce and open relationships, with unexpected consequences.
Splitsville is a comedy about relationships, but it would be misleading to call it a romantic comedy.
The film, which has been described as an “unromantic comedy”, focuses on two couples. There’s Ashley (Adria Arjona) and Carey (Kyle Marvin), who are going through a divorce after 14 months of marriage, and Paul (Michael Angelo Covino) and Julie (Dakota Johnson), who have an open marriage.
After Ashley blindsides him by declaring that she wants a divorce, Carey goes to stay with his best friend Paul. But Paul is often away on business, so Carey and Julie spend a lot of time alone together.
Surprise, surprise, the heartbroken Carey and the scorned Julie – who believes her open marriage is one-sided – end up sleeping together. The film follows the fallout of this chaotic decision.
Splitsville received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Covino and Marvin’s screenplay and it’s easy to see why. The writing is hilarious, sharp and witty, and realistically depicts modern dating and relationships. The duo also came up with some brilliant comedy setpieces, such as an epic fight at Paul’s house and a poorly-judged roller-coaster ride.
The film is longer than the story requires, and the pacing suffers for it, but the final chapter sets it right with a satisfying gathering with the full ensemble.
Although Johnson and Arjona are the most well-known cast members, Marvin is the standout as the vulnerable Carey. He’s not afraid to make himself look like an idiot and throws himself into the physical comedy, and is naked more often than you might expect.
We have had a taste of Arjona’s comedy skills before, but she gets to fully unleash them here as the chaotic and ever-unsatisfied Ashley, who leaves behind a trail of lovers.
But there are no weak links within the core ensemble – Johnson’s Julie has more to her than meets the eye, and Covino, who also directs the film, brings the comedy in an angry, deadpan way.
Splitsville is a funny, clever, well-observed and relatable comedy about the messy nature of relationships.
In cinemas from Friday 27th March
By Hannah Wales
© Cover Media