Movie · 2025 · Comedy, Romance · 1h 45m · PG · English
Curator score: 0.7/10 (25.4K ratings)
A different breed of romantic comedy.
Overview
When their beloved dog Merv loses his spark after their split, Anna and Russ are forced into the world's most awkward co-parenting arrangement. Hoping to shake Merv out of his funk, Russ takes him to Florida for a much-needed getaway-only for Anna to show up unexpectedly. As Merv slowly gets his groove back, turns out fixing their dog's broken heart may lead to a few sparks of their own.
Ratings
Curator score: 0.7/10
IMDb: 5.5/10
Letterboxd: 2.50/5
Metacritic: 40
TMDB: 5.9/10
Director
Jessica Swale
Production
LightWorkers Media, Matt Baer Films, CatchLight Studios, Amazon MGM Studios
Cast
Zooey Deschanel, Charlie Cox, Gus, Ellyn Jameson, Patricia Heaton, David Hunt, Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, Victoria Blade, Wynn Everett, Jason Burkey, Jake Berne, Jordan Cox, Andrea Laing, Nancy Ticotin, Kelly Tippens, Michelle Mary Schaefer, Kevin Patrick Murphy, Joey Slotnick, Mykeia Myers
Where to watch
Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Curator Review
Verdict
A lightweight, dog-centered rom-com with a sweet premise and easy chemistry, but it sounds more charming in concept than consistently funny or emotionally deep. The strongest appeal is the cast, the Florida getaway setup, and the oddball tenderness of a breakup story filtered through pet co-parenting.
Best for
fans of low-stakes romantic comedies
viewers who like dog-centric feel-good movies
people looking for a breezy, undemanding date-night watch
audiences drawn to awkward exes-forced-together setups
Skip if
you want sharp writing or big laughs
you dislike sentimental pet-movie plotting
you prefer romance with more heat or complexity
you are tired of familiar rom-com beats
Overview
Merv is built on a very marketable hook: two exes, one beloved dog, and a forced getaway that turns emotional maintenance into romantic maintenance. That premise gives the film an easy, accessible charm, and the Florida setting adds a sunny, vacation-movie softness that suits the material well.
Worth noting
The movie seems to lean heavily on the cast’s appeal, especially the awkward, gently wounded energy of the central pairing. It’s the kind of rom-com that works best when you’re in the mood for warmth over wit, and when the dog is allowed to be the emotional center of gravity.
Bottom line
At the same time, the response suggests a familiar, somewhat thin screenplay. The humor lands unevenly, the emotional beats are predictable, and the film’s biggest pleasures come from vibe rather than invention. If you want an easygoing comfort watch, it probably does the job; if you want a standout romantic comedy, this sounds more pleasant than memorable.
Top Letterboxd reviews
theo (2★) · 1095 likes
merv was actually hospitalised after filming due to carrying the entire movie on his back
alishyalouise (3★) · 796 likes
charlie cox read the script, saw “russ is visually impaired” and was sold instantly.
Rizki (3★) · 575 likes
I’m not the dog, yet I’m the one barking the loudest over Charlie Cox.
🔸Just Juanga (3★) · 475 likes
The moment Charlie Cox put on those glasses, I literally moaned