The Threesome: Hidden Gem Alert

Ever since “Set It Up” completely stole my heart as one of the most criminally underrated rom-coms of the past decade, I’ve been absolutely obsessed with Zoey Deutch! There’s something magical about her perfect storm of comic timing, irresistible charm, and emotional depth that makes her feel like she was literally born for this genre. Sure, being Hollywood royalty doesn’t hurt (her dad’s director Howard Deutch, and her mom is “Back to the Future” icon Lea Thompson—and wow, the resemblance is uncanny!). But what really sets Zoey apart isn’t just her incredible pedigree—it’s her genius for picking indie scripts that let her showcase her incredible range. From Clint Eastwood collaborations to hidden festival treasures, she has this uncanny ability to find projects that matter.

So when I spotted “The Threesome” with its deliciously scandalous premise, I knew I had to catch it during its limited theatrical run. The theater was practically empty, but I’m so glad I went—because this feels like one of those underrated indies that people will rediscover years from now and wonder why we weren’t all screaming about it!

The setup sounds wonderfully simple: Connor (Jonah Hauer-King), this sweet but completely indecisive sound engineer, has been nursing a massive crush on Olivia (Zoey Deutch), a razor-sharp waitress who lives for chaos and unpredictability. One fateful night, after way too many drinks, they cross paths with Jenny (Ruby Cruz), a grad student who radiates this fascinating mix of innocence and curiosity. A seemingly innocent game of truth-or-dare pushes all the boundaries, and suddenly all three end up tangled together in bed. What starts as the ultimate fantasy setup for a raunchy sex comedy completely implodes when both women discover they’re pregnant from that wild night. Connor’s dream becomes his absolute worst nightmare, and now all three have to face the brutal consequences of a decision they can’t take back.

But here’s what makes “The Threesome” absolutely brilliant—it refuses to reduce these characters to tired clichés! Olivia isn’t just your typical unattainable free spirit; she’s this beautifully complex contradiction, hiding deep vulnerability behind razor-sharp wit. Jenny isn’t relegated to being “the other woman”—she’s thoughtful, searching, and quietly powerful. Even Connor, despite occasionally frustrating me with his blandness, brings this genuine earnestness that makes the emotional stakes feel devastatingly real. This isn’t your typical love triangle mess—it’s a raw, honest exploration of identity, consequence, and the beautiful chaos of modern adulthood.

Director Chad Hartigan handles this emotional minefield with surprising confidence and maturity. Instead of going for cheap laughs, he uses this wild scenario to dig into deeper questions about responsibility, intimacy, and the weight of our choices. Jenny’s conservative family brings this perfect mix of comic bite and genuine conviction. Olivia’s chaotic worldview crashes headfirst into Jenny’s craving for stability. And poor Connor? He’s desperately trying to hold everything together while realizing that fantasy fulfillment rarely survives the harsh light of reality.

The visual approach is absolutely perfect too! Sing Howe Yam’s cinematography completely avoids that glossy studio polish, instead embracing natural light, warm textures, and that authentic indie grit that makes everything feel lived-in and relatable. You’re not watching some picture-perfect rom-com fantasy—you’re experiencing the cluttered apartments, smoky bars, and painfully awkward family dinners where real life actually unfolds. That grounded authenticity gives serious weight to the dramatic moments, constantly reminding us this isn’t about escapist fantasy—it’s about facing real consequences
Is the film absolutely perfect? Not quite. The pacing does drag a bit in the middle, and Connor sometimes feels like the least compelling part of his own story. But those minor flaws can’t diminish how daring and refreshingly unexpected this film is! It tackles incredibly timely issues—reproductive choice, family pressure, generational divides—without ever feeling preachy or lecture-y. And throughout it all, Deutch and Cruz deliver performances that absolutely sparkle with charisma and emotional complexity. Honestly, Deutch deserves to be crowned the undisputed queen of underrated indie rom-coms!

Ultimately, “The Threesome” is way less about scandal and so much more about searching—searching for genuine connection, for belonging, for clarity in a world that definitely doesn’t hand you a roadmap. It’s hilarious when it wants to be, brutally raw when it needs to be, and never afraid to get wonderfully messy. And maybe that’s exactly what makes it so special: it reminds us that real romance isn’t about achieving perfection—it’s about stumbling forward together through all the beautiful chaos.

Overall: “The Threesome” is a bold, thorny, and surprisingly heartfelt reinvention of the rom-com genre, powered by Zoey Deutch’s undeniable star quality and a fearless willingness to explore territory the genre usually avoids. It might be flying under the radar now, but mark my words—this one’s going to stick with you long after the credits roll!