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A Wedding with Multiple Layers
“The Threesome” opens at a wedding where, from the very first scene, more than one union is taking shape. On stage, Connor (Jonah Hauer-King) delivers a heartfelt toast to friends Matthew (Tommy Do) and Greg (portrayed with show-stealing flair by Jaboukie Young-White) as they exchange vows. This ceremony sets a bright, celebratory tone, and yet the real intrigue lies just beyond the altar, foreshadowing a romantic adventure that is not confined to the couple making their vows.
Behind the camera, a captivating blend of creative energy is taking place. Chad Hartigan, the director synonymous with the profound personal power of “This Is Martin Bonner” and the lively humor of “Morris From America”, aims to create a middle position that is worth the time between Ethan Ogilby’s awkward humor treatment as the writer and the inside themes that are less treated. At the same time, the movie was more than enough to convey that it was indeed telling a story that went from laughter to emotional episodes intertwining lighthearted comedy and genuine relationship drama.
Although the wedding scene is where the story starts officially, it is immediately clear that “The Threesome” is not just a simple romantic story. Hartigan and Ogilby aim to explore the awkwardness, hesitations, and potential complications in modern relationships. While the premise may appear centered on embarrassing comedic setups, the script’s undertones hint at deeper connections. The results occasionally reveal inconsistencies that the filmmakers may not have foreseen, yet this mix of awkward comedy and earnest feeling remains consistently intriguing.
Not the Central Couple
Despite the prominence of Matthew and Greg’s union, the story’s central focus soon shifts to a different love triangle. Connor, who is busy raising a toast when we first meet him, gradually emerges as the key figure. He has long harbored romantic feelings for Olivia (Zoey Deutch), a waitress whose presence attracts him. Their chemistry develops further one night when Olivia sees him talking to a customer named Jenny (Ruby Cruz). Seemingly on a whim, the three of them end up at Connor’s apartment, drawn together by a blend of curiosity and shared spontaneity.
The emotional complexity of “The Threesome” escalates as Connor, Olivia, and Jenny participate in a marijuana-aided game of truth or dare. What starts as a playful diversion takes a surprisingly intimate turn, resulting in both women spending the night with Connor. This essential evening, filled with sudden impulses and a cocktail of exhilaration and uncertainty, sets in motion the complicated romantic entanglements that define the film. Viewers witness how rash choices can transform relationships, as the script tests each character’s boundaries and sense of loyalty.
When Connor wakes up and notices Jenny by his side while Olivia is nowhere to be found, he instantly assumes that this intense but spontaneous experience will remain a singular event. Yet the reality of what actually happened during their overnight encounter—and how these three individuals will navigate the emotional aftermath—forms the core of the film’s allure. Though the filmmakers’ ambitions yield mixed outcomes, the endeavor remains both remarkably engaging and utterly charming, thanks to the magnetic performances and the courage to explore relationships that blend humor with genuine human complexity.
Surprising Aftermath
For unforeseen reasons, the three main characters remain bound together by the consequences of their impulsive night, and director Chad Hartigan gracefully steers what initially appears to be an early-1980s-style sex-comedy premise toward a deeper, more introspective exploration. The aftereffects of that evening cast a long shadow, compelling each member of this unconventional trio to navigate new emotional territory. Connor, who was once simply caught between an attraction to Olivia and a fascination with Jenny, finds himself sharing a far more complex connection with them both. Rather than focusing on a rivalry for his affection, the film highlights how all three discover aspects of themselves they never realized were there. Each one confronts what they truly desire from life in the wake of an experience that blurred the lines between simple attraction and genuine intimacy.
In the middle of this tangled situation stands Connor, whose desire for Olivia has been unwavering yet fraught with complications. He also begins to sense that Jenny might be the more solid and reliable choice for a lasting connection. This dilemma is by no means unprecedented, but the film imbues it with energy by examining emotional nuance rather than resorting to predictable comedic tropes. The characters share something profound, given how they balanced each other’s needs so harmoniously that night. Now, they cannot help but question whether that fleeting unity can transition into something more permanent, or if it was simply a compelling one-time event fueled by raw passion and curiosity.
A Different Approach to Desire
The heart of “The Threesome” lies in its willingness to trade cheap laughs for moments of genuine reflection. Instead of focusing on cringe-driven scenes that might arise from a typical sex comedy, Hartigan and screenwriter Ethan Ogilby seek insights into how impulsive intimacy affects a person’s sense of self. The trio is unavoidably tied together by that bedroom encounter, resulting in emotional threads that cannot be cut without careful consideration. Each character wrestles with questions of commitment, boundaries, and personal growth in ways that rarely feel forced. The fact that the high-concept hook is undeniably good, however, the film directs it into something more than a mere romantic comedy, as it becomes more thought-provoking.
“The Threesome” does not always manage to keep the seamless ratio between its comedic and dramatic elements. For the production of his earlier sci-fi romance film “Little Fish,” Hartigan stuck to the same warm, earth-toned color palette and elegant cinematography that had brilliantly grounded him, thus creating a consistently attractive backdrop. This film is also subject to more emphatic humor as they are supported by a cast that includes Arden Myrin and Robert Longstreet being Jenny’s devout parents and Julia Sweeney representing Connor’s joyful mother.
The scenes used in the movie deviate from the film’s quiet aesthetic. Still, Hartigan introduces some comic elements such as the rapid use of a trombone that sounds rather sad during Connor’s work as a sound engineer to remember audiences that this story is not to be taken too seriously. Zoey Deutch handles the varied tonal demands effortlessly, showcasing her ability to unify conflicting moods. Nevertheless, the film sometimes reflects its characters’ own uncertainty, periodically seeming unsure of exactly what it wants to become.
Balancing Aesthetics and Humor
Along with tone, the clash between visual choices and comedic moments stands out as both intriguing and occasionally unsettling. The gracefully shot sequences, tinted with muted hues, create a pensive atmosphere, hinting that “The Threesome” aspires to more depth than the average sex comedy. Yet scenes in which the supporting cast bursts onto the screen with exaggerated humor temporarily shatter that thoughtful vibe. Sing Howe Yam’s camerawork adds cleverness and energy to many of these moments, revealing a playful willingness to break from seriousness and indulge in lively interludes. However, these abrupt shifts further highlight the film’s sometimes uncertain identity, as it straddles the line between heartfelt drama and broad comedic spectacle.
Given a title as provocative as “The Threesome,” some viewers might expect wilder scenarios or even more overtly risqué plot twists. However, it proves refreshing that Hartigan and Ogilby choose to resist simplistic approaches and, instead, chase a mature version of their bold concept. Every person involved in this three-way quandary must come to terms with previously unseen facets of their own personality, revealing a desire for meaningful connection in place of shallow gratification. While it is evident that the film experiences growing pains on its journey to merge these different elements, the finished product has more emotional heft as a result. Rather than presenting shallow jokes and neat resolutions, “The Threesome” dares to show how complicated real affection can be, maintaining that each small step toward maturity is worth the awkwardness and confusion that come along the way.
