Chad Hartigan’s The Threesome pulses with warmth and a steady rhythm, delivering a romantic comedy that explores deeper emotions through its trio of lovers and the surprising twists their choices bring. The film shimmers gently, led by Zoey Deutch’s radiant performance as Olivia Capitano, a woman who hides her longing behind sharp humor and restless energy. Hartigan crafts the story with care, allowing each character space to breathe, stumble, and genuinely seek connection. The result is a film that gracefully embraces emotional complexity, drawing viewers into its heartfelt depths.
The story kicks off with Connor Blake, played with heartfelt charm by Jonah Hauer-King, drifting through his days as a sound engineer and secretly crushing on Olivia. His friend Greg, voiced with upbeat wit by Jaboukie Young-White, encourages Connor to consider a new chance: Jenny Brooks, a compassionate graduate student brought to life by Ruby Cruz, radiating sweetness and genuine vulnerability. A night of dancing, laughter, and spontaneous connection sparks an intimate moment among the three, setting the stage for everything that follows.
Morning ushers in a subtle shift in the atmosphere. Olivia, overwhelmed by her own longing, quietly slips away, while Connor, still captivated by her, finds solace in Jenny’s company. Later, when he convinces Olivia to give their connection a chance, their relationship ignites with a surge of passion and exploration. Hartigan beautifully captures this moment with poetic tenderness—sun-kissed mornings, shared laughter, and the exhilarating rhythm of two souls discovering each other. Deutch and Hauer-King craft a partnership brimming with chemistry and gentle intimacy.
Pregnancy enters the story with a surprising depth of reverence. Olivia’s discovery unfolds amidst swirling uncertainty, but Connor’s boundless joy provides a steadying force. The film embraces this pivotal moment with sincere gravity, steering clear of comedic cues or punchlines. Instead, Hartigan depicts pregnancy as a powerful transformation—a threshold that calls for courage and brings clarity.
Jenny’s sudden arrival on their porch, bearing her own news, infuses the film with a deeper emotional resonance. Her pregnancy, born out of Connor’s fleeting moment of confusion, parallels Olivia’s in timing but carries a distinct emotional significance. The film treats both women with heartfelt compassion, allowing their stories to unfold with grace and dignity. The double pregnancy serves as a powerful narrative anchor, crafted with sincerity and care, offering a rare and touching portrait of two women navigating parallel journeys without judgment.
Connor’s efforts to support both women weave a tapestry of tender, complex moments that draw the reader in. His road trip with Olivia, filled with subtle gestures and quiet understanding, rekindles a deep bond between them. Meanwhile, his growing connection with Jenny, influenced by her hopes and her family’s expectations, exposes his yearning for stability and belonging. Hartigan masterfully lets these threads intertwine, crafting a vivid portrait of a man torn between affection, duty, and the longing for a life that feels complete.
Olivia’s heartfelt confession of love, spoken in a moment of raw vulnerability, becomes one of the most powerful scenes in the film. Deutch delivers a raw intensity, exposing a woman who has long battled her own feelings. Connor’s pure joy upon hearing her words injects the story with a fiery emotional lift—a poignant reminder that love often endures through bravery rather than certainty.
The unexpected revelation about Olivia’s past affair adds an intriguing twist, enriching the film’s delicate exploration of pregnancy. Olivia’s labor arrives unexpectedly, and the film guides her through this intense moment with tender grace. The simultaneous births—Olivia’s daughter and Jenny’s daughter—are portrayed with heartfelt sincerity, creating a powerful and touching portrait of two women embracing motherhood with resilience and hope.
The final stretch sparks a renewed sense of hope. Connor and Jenny have found a stable rhythm in their co-parenting journey, while Jenny’s move into her own home marks the start of a fresh chapter. Olivia’s arrival, accompanied by her daughter named after Connor’s grandmother, fills the scene with a hopeful energy earned through their shared struggles. Their reunion is tender and heartfelt, shaped by everything they have overcome. Greg’s post-credits toast adds a joyful finale, celebrating the wild, winding journey that brought everyone together.
Hartigan’s film bursts onto the romantic comedy scene with a fresh and captivating approach, blending warmth with lyrical storytelling. The Threesome delights with a heartfelt portrayal of its characters, celebrating love’s resilience and courageously exploring themes of pregnancy and partnership with genuine sincerity. It’s a film that trusts in emotion,尊重its characters’ journeys, and ultimately leaves the audience feeling uplifted and inspired.
LETTER GRADE B+.
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