‘The Threesome’ Review: A Sharp, Surprising Rom-Com That Goes Beyond the Gimmick

A one-night experiment turns into something far more complicated in Chad Hartigan’s latest, blending humor, heart, and emotional depth.

Romantic comedies built around high-concept setups often struggle to sustain their charm beyond the initial premise, but The Threesome refuses to fall into that trap. What begins as a bawdy, alcohol- and weed-fueled ménage à trois quickly evolves into something deeper, navigating personal growth, emotional entanglement, and unexpected self-discovery. Director Chad Hartigan, known for the indie gems This Is Martin Bonner and Morris From America, walks a fine line between broad humor and introspective drama, aided by a charming lead trio: Zoey Deutch, Jonah Hauer-King, and Ruby Cruz.

More Than Just a Hookup

Opening on a wedding—a classic rom-com backdrop—the film immediately sets up Connor (Hauer-King) as a hopeless romantic still pining for Olivia (Deutch), the longtime crush who’s never reciprocated his serious intentions. When he flirts with Jenny (Cruz) at Olivia’s bar, things escalate in ways none of them expect. A spontaneous game of truth or dare leads the three into bed together, but what seems like a fleeting, carefree night of pleasure soon has lasting consequences.

The next morning, Connor wakes up next to Jenny—Olivia, noticeably absent, has vanished. But what might have ended as an awkward memory instead lingers, as the trio finds themselves unable to fully detach from one another. The film smartly avoids turning their dynamic into a love triangle filled with petty rivalries. Instead, it explores the emotional reverberations of their shared experience, as all three are forced to re-evaluate what they want from each other—and from themselves.

A Rom-Com That Dares to Ask Bigger Questions

What sets The Threesome apart from standard relationship comedies is its refusal to fit into a predictable mold. It doesn’t pit Jenny against Olivia, nor does it position Connor as a hapless man-child who must be “saved” by love. Instead, the film allows its characters to make messy, complicated choices. Olivia, despite her aversion to commitment, isn’t written off as emotionally unavailable. Jenny, the seemingly grounded newcomer, isn’t merely a narrative device to shake up Connor and Olivia’s dynamic.

The screenplay by Ethan Ogilby is refreshingly mature in how it approaches modern relationships, showing that intimacy isn’t just about passion—it’s about emotional vulnerability. While some comedic beats lean into broad humor (particularly with the addition of Jenny’s hilariously conservative parents, played by Arden Myrin and Robert Longstreet), the film always circles back to the real, human emotions underneath the laughs.

Balancing Comedy and Drama

Hartigan’s direction gives The Threesome a visual warmth that contrasts with its sometimes cringeworthy comedic moments. The film’s earthy, intimate cinematography—reminiscent of Little Fish, Hartigan’s beautifully shot sci-fi romance—grounds the story, even as the humor occasionally borders on sitcom-like absurdity. Supporting players like Julia Sweeney as Connor’s mother bring energy to the comedic side of things, but the movie is at its best when it leans into its more intimate, understated moments.

As expected, Zoey Deutch remains one of the most effortlessly watchable actors in the rom-com space. Her ability to move seamlessly between broad comedy and genuine pathos is what holds the film together, helping to smooth over some of its tonal inconsistencies. Hauer-King brings an earnest charm to Connor, making him more than just the typical “nice guy” archetype, while Cruz proves to be the film’s secret weapon—her natural chemistry with both Deutch and Hauer-King elevates the dynamic from cliché to compelling.

A More Thoughtful Take on Love and Connection

For a film called The Threesome, it’s surprisingly restrained in its approach to sex and intimacy, focusing less on the act itself and more on its emotional aftermath. That might disappoint audiences expecting something more risqué, but Hartigan and Ogilby seem more interested in exploring how these characters process what happened rather than playing up the situation for easy laughs.

At times, the film struggles with its balance between lightheartedness and emotional introspection. Some jokes land better than others, and certain supporting characters feel underdeveloped. But at its core, The Threesome is an endearing and unexpectedly thoughtful rom-com that dares to ask deeper questions about relationships, self-worth, and the nature of attraction.

Rather than tying things up with a neat romantic resolution, the film acknowledges that love and connection don’t always fit into easily defined categories. That’s what makes it stand out—it’s a film about embracing uncertainty, taking emotional risks, and finding clarity in unexpected places.

RATING: ★★★★☆