‘Splitsville' Review: A Tender, Hilarious And Balanced Portrayal Of Love, Friendship And Open Relationships [Cannes 2025]

Geek Vibes Nation

25-05-2025

Going through a divorce is never pleasant, apart from in the latest movie by Michael Angelo Covino. After taking The Climb to La Croisette in 2019, Covino is returning to Cannes. We're still unsure why Splitsville is a 'Out of Competition' feature, as it's a work that deserves all the accolades it can get. The film is the perfect example of a work that becomes better with each scene. What starts as an explosive unravelling of marriage becomes a tender, hilarious and balanced work about love, friendship and… open relationships.
Yes, 'open relationships'. You read that correctly. This edition of Cannes certainly is quite a daring one. After seeing Pillion, which features a BDSM agreement between Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, Splitsville turns the sexiness and steaminess up a notch. There might be less nudity and sex, but there are much more parties involved.
The lead cast is quite significant because of the multiple open relationships. You have the four main leads, whose dynamics will change, but also the fuckbuddies on the side, who might become more than that. In an ensemble work like this, some characters are often overlooked and/or underdeveloped because each character needs at least some screen time. However, that's not the case here. No, Covino and co-writer and co-lead Kyle Marvin take their time to cut out well-rounded characters with the necessary individuality and personality. This allows you to fully understand their true (sexual) desires and their journey.
And what a journey it is, especially for Carey (Marvin), the traditional husband who wants the whole shebang (wife, marriage and kids) with Ashley (Adria Arjona). However, after Ashley abruptly dumps him on the spot – which is in the middle of the highway – Carey angrily, sadly, and most of all confused, runs to the place of his best friends Julie (Dakota Johnson) and Paul (Covino). That run from the highway to the house is already a major indicator that this work will be full of hilarious encounters and wildly entertaining moments. While there are undoubtedly be some scenes in which the cast and crew take it too far, this movie has an excellent balance between hilarity and big emotions.
Paul arrives at his friends' place in the hope of finding advice, comfort, and a temporary bed, but what he gets there is much more life-changing than he could have ever imagined. After finding out that their stable marriage is based on an open relationship, a whole new world opens for Paul. A world in which there's not such a thing as embarrassment or judgment. Covino allows his characters to make mistakes, pursue unconventional relationships, and find out who they really are, even later in life.
That lack of judgment and the bigger focus on what it's like to be human makes this feature so intriguing, touching and enthralling. It also certainly sets the film aside from other similar works, and even more, because this movie truly feels like a film. It's entirely shot on gorgeous and textured-looking 35mm, while it's also not too stylized, visual, and directional. Instead of relying on over-the-top cinematography, the filmmaker uses more natural-looking visuals, real-life-sounding conversation and the dynamic energy generated by the cast.
This more subdued but dynamic approach ensures that the audience can truly feel what's happening on the screen while allowing the cast to immerse themselves in the role. Johnson (The High Note, Am I Ok?) certainly delivers the most multilayered performance in this work. This is because her character has to endure her unconventional marriage and, deep down, some sadness while trying to be there for her son and friend in need. It might take a while to show her fantastic acting skills truly, but once she does that, she delivers scene-stealing and remarkable acting.
Equally scene-stealing but less present is Arjona as Ashley. Right off the bat of Hitman, Arjona now shows an even more hilarious performance. Her comedic timing is extremely impressive, while the sexual awakening of her character guarantees some of the most intense scenes. After Ashley discovers what an open relationship can mean to her, her plan to make her ex jealous completely backfires. Instead of Carey violently going after them, he becomes friends with them, helping them with finding work and organizing game nights.
Speaking of Carey, Marvin is excellent as this loveable, laid-back, and feisty lover. What starts as a more timid performance becomes more raunchy and entertaining. That first big fight scene between Carey and Paul certainly got a massive cheer from the Cannes audience, and it's easy to see why. Marvin's electric performance becomes even more enthralling because of Covino's more physical and aggressive acting. Both men have worked together in the past (on The Climb), resulting in very naturally looking, impeccable chemistry and believable performances.
Splitsville certainly is one of the best discoveries of the Cannes Film Festival this year. It's a great reminder that there are still American comedies out there that, while it doesn't take itself truly seriously, work after all. Not only because of the incredible dynamic between the cast and the absurd but entertaining script but also because of the humanness and down-to-earth aspect. The screwball comedy with a lot of heart will have you laughing out loud through its 90-minute runtime.
Splitsville was screened during the Cannes Film Festival and is out in US theatres on the 22nd of August courtesy of NEON