REVIEW: “The Threesome” (2025)

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Title “The Threesome” suggests an immediate grab for attention, yet beneath this enticing label lies a movie grappling with competing aspirations. On one side, it yearns to be a lighthearted rom-com appealing to millennials. Simultaneously, it aspires to present a thoughtful and mature exploration of relationships. However, it fails to deliver convincingly on either front. The conflict between these two goals becomes more precarious as they try to coexist, resulting in an unconvincing portrayal overall.

Connor (Jonah Hauer-King) harbors deep affection for Olivia (Zoey Deutch), though they’ve been friends since ending a past romantic entanglement. Yet, his feelings haven’t waned; he yearns to restart their relationship. However, it seems Olivia feigns disinterest in rekindling things. At the bar where Olivia works, Connor engages another woman named Jenny (Ruby Cruz) in conversation. His intention is to provoke jealousy within Olivia, but an unexpected connection forms among the three instead.

Following a while spent dancing at a local club, they find themselves at Connor’s residence, where events start to escalate swiftly. The group grows more intimate, and from there… well, just watch the film’s title for the answer. This series of events unfolds within the first 15 minutes or so. The remainder of the movie focuses on the consequences and a rapidly increasing number of issues that arise almost comically. And it all starts with the disclosure that Olivia and Jenny are expecting babies.

The narrative unfolds as a continuous sequence of events triggered by repeated poor decisions, but the movie presents a different viewpoint. Director Chad Hartigan and screenwriter Ethan Ogilby craft their tale from a distinctly contemporary standpoint. They examine topics such as dating, relationships, sex, and even religion through the same societal prism. Interestingly, it’s so firmly rooted in this perspective that it might resonate more with those sharing the same view, while potentially alienating others.

While this criticism might not initially appear balanced, it does have an effect on the narrative flow of the story. For instance, the repercussions throughout the story are predominantly emotional. However, it’s important to note that there are emotional consequences present. Yet, the film seems to limit its exploration beyond emotions. Frequently, these feelings are weakened by the tonal shifts as the narrative oscillates between comedic and dramatic scenes.

This critique might not seem entirely impartial, but it does impact the way the story is told. For example, throughout the movie, the aftermath is mostly emotional. To clarify, there are indeed emotional consequences in the story. However, the film tends to focus only on feelings rather than exploring other aspects. Moreover, these feelings often get muddled due to the tonal jumps as the narrative shifts between humorous and serious scenes.

The actors deliver strong performances, with Deutsch skillfully maintaining a balance between the contrasting roles. Meanwhile, Cruz delivers a surprising and captivating performance. However, the characters often seem unaware of the real world, making comments like “Didn’t you take the pill?” or “But you used a condom!”. The supporting characters provide some humor but are generally typical of romantic comedies. For instance, Kevin (Josh Segarra) is portrayed as Olivia’s dim-witted boyfriend, and Greg (Jaboukie Young-White), the stereotypical gay best friend, serves as comic relief.

The film “The Threesome” aims for both humor and realism, but struggles to balance both effectively. It shows promise in its unique portrayal of a romantic entanglement, yet it often strains credibility. Additionally, when the movie attempts to convey deeper themes, it becomes hard to take seriously. In the end, numerous irritations make it challenging to fully engage with the story.

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2025-09-05 19:57