Expecting simplicity from the classic rom-com formula and getting surprising depth instead is a rare occurrence, even as a lover of cheesy romance. The Threesome somehow accomplishes exactly that, handling the consequences of such a sexually-charged encounter with an unparalleled level of maturity and character growth. This is the second time this year that Jonah Hauer-King channels his dimpled puppy-dog eyes nice guy persona into a lead character, after I Know What You Did Last Summer. Here, his Connor finds himself at the center of a precarious situation involving two separate pregnancies birthed from the same racy threesome. Playing Connor’s girlfriends, the always-charming Zoey Dutch is sarcastic gem Olivia, whereas Ruby Cruz plays an opposite archetype as the more reserved Jenny. Delivering an ultimate take on the love triangle, The Threesome blends sizzling cast chemistry with a deeply nuanced approach to hook ups, abortion, pregnancy, and love.
As best man at the wedding of his gay bestie, Greg (Jaboukie Young-White), Connor’s heart lies elsewhere: he’s still fixated on Olivia, the elusive woman who keeps dodging his advances. Connor remains hung up on Olivia even after the wedding, where he shows up at the bar she works at with Greg—until Greg nudges Connor toward Jenny (Ruby Cruz), a sweet stranger whose date stood her up. The trio soon find themselves entangled when Olivia inserts herself into Connor’s flirtation with Jenny. What starts as a casual night transforms into a surprising threesome. That vital scene tastefully shows very little, leaving it up to dialogue and casual conversation to establish the specifics of that night. That follows suit for the rest of the film as well—there’s nary a bare butt in sight.
The film splits its focus between the women’s diverging choices in the face of shocking pregnancy. Olivia debates abortion, whilst Jenny embraces the idea of motherhood. Connor desperately attempts to support both, at the encouragement of his sweet mother. The sharp script from Ethan Ogilby truly takes its time to flesh out the dynamic between the central three, and a nearly two-hour runtime gives plenty of breathing room. The idea of a love triangle has been flipped on its head, especially when further complications are involved. Clashing families spiral toward an outrageous climax that still finds time to deliver powerful moments of emotion and at least one neat plot twist.
The supporting players totally complement the main trio—see: Kevin (Josh Segarra), a married man that Olivia hooks up with at times, or Young-White’s Greg, the movie’s main queer character also responsible for many of the funniest lines. But at the end of the day, it’s Deutch, Cruz, and Hauer-King who make the film whole. Zoey Deutch shines as Olivia, equal parts magnetic and self-sabotaging, while Ruby Cruz imbues Jenny with grounded sweetness; Jonah Hauer-King leans into his wide-eyed lover with a trademark aww-shucks swagger.
Directed by Chad Hartigan, The Threesome presents a surprisingly tender spin on the erotic love triangle. Cut up into “trimester” chunks, there’s a genuine thrust to the timeline of events. We truly follow these characters through difficult, hormonally-charged times that could have easily brought out the worst. Instead, there’s a comfort-watch quality that will win over a lot of folks hungry for couples to celebrate. Any comedy with a blooper reel in the end credits is after my own heart. Tasteful, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt, The Threesome reframes the love triangle as a messy but necessary stepping stone to cutesy romance.
Get caught in the middle of a sexy time with The Threesome, due in theaters nationwide on Friday, September 5th.
