SXSW Review: The Threesome is an Ambitious Yet Imperfect Rom-Com by Chad Hartigan

      A significant attempt that nearly falls short, Chad Hartigan’s The Threesome possesses its own appeal, even as it risks overstaying its welcome. This romantic comedy presents a more serious tone for characters who exist in a state of arrested development or navigate a new adulthood that defies categorization, sharing much with Hartigan’s earlier works, which embody the essence of hangout films. His latest project, penned by Ethan Ogilby, begins to lose momentum as the characters repeatedly engage in banter about their predicament, resulting in an uncomfortable balancing act.

      The main flaw lies in the character of Connor (Jonah Hauer-King), who comes off as overly generic—he’s a recording engineer in Little Rock, Arkansas, portrayed as an all-around nice guy suited for flirty exchanges. He has always been attracted to the vibrant waitress, Olivia (the ever-enigmatic Zoey Deutch). Olivia is either a free spirit or someone lacking direction; it’s clear why Connor is smitten with her. One night at the restaurant, they meet Jenny (Ruby Cruz), a stranger at the bar, and return to Connor’s apartment. After their threesome, an awkward farewell leads Connor to exchange numbers with Jenny just before he asks Olivia out on a genuine date.

      Olivia carries her own complexities—their initial date involves babysitting her sister’s energetic children—but they eventually develop strong feelings for each other through a montage of spending time together, walking for long stretches, and, naturally, engaging in "Netflix and chill." Before long, they discover that Olivia is pregnant, and as they ponder their next steps, another surprise arises: Jenny is also expecting.

      Connor faces the challenge of making a favorable impression on Jenny’s religious family while staying committed to Olivia, who—being a liberal in the conservative Little Rock—is conflicted about keeping her baby. She is filled with contradictions and speaks her mind loudly in public. In contrast, Jenny is devoutly religious and views the pregnancy as a sign. She is also a complex individual, a sexually inquisitive grad student who understands that she shouldn’t be with Connor, yet desperately needs his support for her parents.

      While Hartigan maintains a restrained and grounded approach with moments of humor, the film’s pacing begins to drag: Connor is the least flawed (and thus least interesting) part of the trio. More subdued than a typical Will Gluck-directed studio rom-com, Hartigan's film could benefit from a bit more energy, avoiding clichés like the inclusion of Connor’s gay best friend (Jaboukie Young-White), who serves as comic relief and offers well-timed advice.

      Although it struggles with character development, The Threesome is an unusual rom-com that addresses serious issues concerning access to abortion care and the realities of modern dating, even within a politically divided city in a deeply conservative state. While there’s plenty to appreciate and some significant laughs thanks to Deutch, the film may exhaust viewers, feeling both repetitive and, as is often the case with romantic comedies, ultimately predictable.

      The Threesome had its premiere at the 2025 SXSW.