Is Splitsville woke?
Splitsville (2025)
Movie
Released: January 1, 2025
Wokeness Score
3/10
Light Social Awareness
Some light diversity or inclusion elements that feel natural and organic. Woke themes are subtle, non-intrusive, and fully integrated into the story without drawing attention to themselves.
Key Summary Points
- Centers on open marriage and divorce chaos as comedic farce without endorsing polyamory.
- Satirizes modern relationship experiments, aligning with critiques of elite 'luxury beliefs'.
- Diverse casting is incidental; no identity politics or social justice messaging dominates.
Wokeness Analysis
Splitsville (2025) centers on the chaotic fallout from a divorce request and an open marriage arrangement among two couples, using farce and physical comedy to highlight jealousy, insecurity, and the complications of non-monogamy. The premise draws from contemporary relationship trends like polyamory, which some conservative critics label as 'luxury beliefs' promoted by elites, but the film primarily satirizes the resulting disorder rather than endorsing it as superior or progressive. Reviews note it pokes fun at modern romantic experiments while ultimately leaning toward reconciliation and traditional commitments, avoiding heavy-handed lectures. Casting includes diverse actors in supporting roles (e.g., David Castañeda, O-T Fagbenle), yet these feel incidental to the core ensemble of white leads and do not drive thematic messaging. No prominent identity politics, DEI elements, or social justice commentary appear; the narrative stays focused on personal failings and comedic entanglements. Conservative-leaning analyses, such as those from the Institute for Family Studies and The Spectator, view it as a quasi-conservative takedown of loosened marital norms, reinforcing that the story prioritizes entertainment and character-driven humor over ideological indoctrination. Subtle nods to evolving attitudes exist but remain organic to the plot without intrusion or preachy tone.
Plot
Splitsville follows married couple Carey and Ashley, whose drive turns disastrous when they witness a crash and Ashley reveals her infidelity and desire for divorce. Carey seeks solace with friends Paul and Julie, only to discover their open marriage. His boundary-crossing involvement spirals into relational chaos involving jealousy, multiple partners, and absurd situations. The R-rated comedy, directed by and co-starring Michael Angelo Covino with Kyle Marvin, Dakota Johnson, and Adria Arjona, blends screwball elements with bromance and bedroom farce. It premiered at Cannes in May 2025 and released widely in the US on August 22, 2025 (or September 5 in some markets), running about 104 minutes.