“Splitsville” is the sharp relationship comedy starring Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona

The cosmos of relationships is changing, and cinema must evolve in how it tells those stories. Increasingly aware of dynamics imposed by a society we are trying to deconstruct—especially in relation to the self and how we connect with others—films and TV series have shifted toward a serious and respectful exploration of connections no longer based solely on monogamy. These conversations are becoming more common in a world breaking free from institutional chains, no longer recognizing marriage as an unbreakable bond, and exploring dynamics that just a few years ago were considered taboo but are now part of everyday discussions. It is from this observation of couples that Splitsville is born, a comedy by Michael Angelo Covino written with Kyle Marvin, both of whom also star alongside Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona. Presented in the Cannes Premiere section of the Cannes Film Festival, the film doesn't overturn relationship conventions but seeks a different angle from which to view the relationships represented by the two central couples. On one hand, Carey (Marvin) and Ashley (Arjona) are about to separate after just over a year of marriage, while their friends Paul (Covino) and Jules (Johnson) appear to have a very healthy relationship, which turns out to be based on an agreement. The two have decided to open their marriage and pursue any sexual adventures they wish. A solution that seems to keep Paul and Jules’ relationship alive and balanced, but when Carey crosses certain boundaries and becomes involved with his best friend’s wife, things start to go south.

Without ever passing judgment on which couple is right, what the best arrangement might be, or whether there’s even a formula for being happy with someone, Splitsville moves its characters like balls inside a pinball machine, swept up in emotions and jealousies they’ve never experienced before. The constant ricocheting and chasing create unpredictable and hilarious entanglements, as well as unusual and intriguing situations, making this film a sharp, biting comedy about the harshest truths any couple—open or not—will eventually face. Namely, the desire to discover what lies beyond monogamy, and the incessant, elusive, irreversible human tendency to never truly appreciate what they have. Excitement and consideration are the two forces around which the four protagonists revolve, continuously switching places and making them (and the viewer) question what it is they truly want. What drives them to marry, to stay together, to seek others, to break up, to cheat, to refuse to admit fault? The soul and the body—especially the body, notably in the performances of Kyle Marvin and Michael Angelo Covino—are fully committed to the characters, drawing the audience into genuinely caring about what they truly desire, and making their shifting feelings understandable, even in their confusion.

Because out of all the possible explanations, the main question remains: how can one be loved by another, and how, in turn, can one love adequately? With a cheeky, wicked boldness, Splitsville never shies away from pure comedy, using cinematic language to exaggerate real-life events—like dragging out an improbable fight longer than necessary (one of the funniest scenes of the year) or causing a highway accident and death through absurd mechanisms. The performances are also sharp and tight; while Covino and Marvin lead with goofball charm, it’s Johnson and Arjona who shine with explosive charisma and humor, diving in unreservedly—especially the Puerto Rican actress, whose comic flair we already saw in Richard Linklater’s Hitman. And although everything more or less returns to the status quo by the end, possibly suggesting that maybe love really is only between two people, in truth, Splitsville shows that there are many ways to be together—you just have to find the one that fits you best. As the character of little Rus, Jules and Paul’s son played by Simon Webster, says in the final scene: sometimes relationships may seem complicated, but for some people, that’s exactly how they like it.