Film Review: ‘The Threesome’ Finds the Messiness and Realism in a Unique Encounter

When you hear the premise for The Threesome, the movie you imagine in your head is not the one you end up getting. Now, sometimes that can be a negative, but here, it’s very much in the film’s favor. What sounds like it could be a raunchy comedy or a cringey tale is instead done with a surprising amount of depth. There are flaws, sure, but one of the three performances is outstanding, really helping to anchor the flick in a way that helps lead you through.

The Threesome has an ability to generate consideration and thought throughout, even if there are times where you wish the tone was a little more consistent. There’s a respect for the characters and their situations that most other works of this ilk simply would not have been interested in pursuing. It makes this more of an independent film than it otherwise would be, but that’s a feature, as opposed to a bug, at least in my humble opinion.

While at a friend’s wedding we meet Connor (Jonah Hauer-King), a fairly normal guy, one who is about to have the impossible happen. He’s always had a thing for Olivia (Zoey Deutch), his long-time crush, but she’s never been interested like that. However, when she sees him talking to Jenny (Ruby Cruz) in the place she waitresses at, she strikes up a conversation with them both. Eventually, the trio wind up back in his apartment. Soon, marijuana and a game of truth or dare enter the equation. Eventually, both women stay the night, resulting in a threesome. However, Jenny is there in the morning while Olivia is not, leading Connor to assume she basically hit it and quit it.

In actuality, that’s not the case and the impromptu ménage à trois has led to Olivia beginning a relationship with Connor. This is all he’s ever wanted and they quickly fall in love, with a life together seemingly in the cards. However, soon Jenny appears back in their lives, kicking off a far more serious-minded take on what otherwise could have been a sex romp.

Zoey Deutch is easily best in show here, though that’s not a critique of Ruby Cruz or Jonah Hauer-King. It’s simlply praise for Deutch, who adds so many layers to her character, often with just a look. There’s a deep understanding of this woman on her part, which Deutch utilizes to once again knock our socks off. Hauer-King is our protagonist and he does a good job as a guy needing to do some growing up, albeit spurred on by a situation he could not have predicted. Cruz is very solid, though you wish she had a touch more to do, given the talent she’s exuding in scenes with the two of them. Deutch is the one who elevates things. The supporting cast includes Robert Longstreet, Arden Myrin, Julia Sweeney, and more, but it’s all about Deutch.

Director Chad Hartigan films it all like an indie drama, which does help make Ethan Ogilby‘s script come alive a bit more than it otherwise would have. Ogilby has written a romantic dramedy with more drama than comedy in it, so Hartigan directs it as such. The tonal flaw is that the supporting players often appear out of a very different movie. That flick is more generic and less interesting than the one we’re otherwise being shown.

The Threesome is worth seeing for Zoey Deutch alone, though the overall serious minded execution of a potentially silly premise is interesting as well. You should keep your expectations in check here, outside of Deutch, but there’s more than enough here in the film to warrant a recommendation.

SCORE: ★★★