Festivals - Deauville 2025: Splitsville : Opening the American Film Festival with Wit, Modern Love, and a Bold Ensemble

By Mulder, Deauville, Centre international de Deauville, 05 september 2025

The 51st Deauville American Film Festival opened its doors in grand fashion on September 5, 2025, at the Deauville International Center, welcoming critics, audiences, and industry insiders to a night marked by laughter and anticipation. The curtain-raiser was none other than Splitsville, a sharp and contemporary comedy that dives deep into the messy intersections of marriage, friendship, and desire. The evening was graced by the presence of director Michael Angelo Covino and actors Kyle Marvin and Adria Arjona, who stood before the Deauville crowd not only to present their film but to set the tone for a festival known for blending Hollywood glamour with European sophistication. There was a palpable buzz in the room, and for many attendees, seeing a film that had already made waves at Cannes felt like catching a cultural spark at just the right moment.

At its core, Splitsville is a study of modern relationship dynamics wrapped in the guise of classic farce. The story revolves around Carey, who, reeling from divorce papers, turns to his friends Julie and Paul for support—only to find that their open relationship is not the safe harbor he expected but the catalyst for further upheaval. The film was co-written by Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin, a creative duo whose fingerprints are all over the project, from direction to production to performance. Alongside them, an ensemble cast brings the narrative to life: Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, Nicholas Braun, David Castañeda, O-T Fagbenle, Charlie Gillespie, and Simon Webster. The chemistry is palpable, and critics have pointed out that the film’s comedic strength lies in how it balances each personality, letting no one steal the spotlight for too long.

The production itself carries a story worth telling. In August 2024, the casting announcements created excitement: Michael Angelo Covino, Adria Arjona, Dakota Johnson, and Kyle Marvin were confirmed, with Dakota Johnson not only starring but producing under her TeaTime Pictures banner. Adria Arjona also took on an executive producer role alongside Paul Barbeau, while Neon and Topic Studios secured their positions as key backers. The film quickly expanded its roster when Nicholas Braun, David Castañeda, and O-T Fagbenle joined in November 2024. Shot between September and October of that year, the production moved with remarkable efficiency, reflecting a clarity of vision from its creative leads. Cinematographer Adam Newport-Berra, editor Sara Shaw, and composers David Wingo and Dabney Morris rounded out the artistic team, giving the film a look and rhythm that matches its clever script.

Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2025, Splitsville immediately marked itself as a standout in the comedy genre. Its reception was warm, with critics praising the mix of sharp writing and ensemble performance. The U.S. release strategy began modestly with a limited rollout on August 22, 2025, before expanding wide on September 5—the very day it opened Deauville. This timing allowed the film to enter the festival not only as a critical success but as a living box-office experiment, gauging how audiences in France and beyond would respond to its blend of irony and heart. France will see a broader release on September 10, ensuring that Deauville’s opening night feels less like a one-off gala and more like the starting gun for the film’s European journey.

Splitsville has managed to strike the right chord. On Rotten Tomatoes, 85% of 95 reviews lean positive, highlighting its ability to “spread the comedic wealth across its well-balanced ensemble.” Metacritic echoes the sentiment with a score of 74 out of 100, signaling generally favorable reviews. Anecdotally, critics have compared it to the screwball comedies of earlier eras, only filtered through today’s lens of evolving norms around marriage and sexuality. The audience in Deauville seemed to resonate with this juxtaposition: the laughter was real, but it was tinged with recognition, as if viewers were not only entertained but subtly implicated in the story’s questions about fidelity, friendship, and modern love.

What made the Deauville presentation special was not just the film itself, but the presence of its creators. Michael Angelo Covino has built a reputation for injecting personal insight into comedic frameworks, and Kyle Marvin, both as co-writer and performer, brings an authenticity that grounds even the most chaotic moments. Adria Arjona, radiant on stage, embodied both star power and creative vision, reinforcing her dual role as actress and producer. Their interaction with the audience suggested a team deeply proud of the film, but also aware of its playful, provocative edge. As one festival-goer put it after the screening, “It’s the kind of comedy where you laugh because it’s funny, but also because it’s uncomfortably close to home.”

Opening a festival with comedy is always a gamble—dramas often carry more prestige, while thrillers offer obvious spectacle. Yet Splitsville proved to be the perfect choice for Deauville’s 2025 launch, reminding audiences that laughter can carry as much cultural weight as solemnity. The night’s atmosphere, enhanced by photographers capturing candid moments of the cast and director, felt celebratory without being frivolous. Photos and video coverage by Boris Colletier for Mulderville captured the energy of an evening where cinema, humor, and the complexities of human connection all converged.

By choosing Splitsville to open its 51st edition, the Deauville American Film Festival not only showcased a film that has already proven its critical worth but also signaled a commitment to embracing the evolving language of American cinema. The festival’s audience, oscillating between laughter and reflection, walked away with more than just an introduction to the week ahead—they carried the lingering sense that comedies like this one are no longer mere diversions, but mirrors held up to the fragile and absurd reality of our relationships. And in that reflection, Deauville found its perfect opening night spark.

You can discover our photos in our Flickr page

Synopsis : 
When his wife files for divorce, Carey seeks support from his friends Julie and Paul. He discovers that the secret to their happiness is that they are in an open relationship.

Splitsville
Directed by Michael Angelo Covino
Written by Michael Angelo Covino, Kyle Marvin
Produced by Emily Korteweg, Michael Angelo Covino, Kyle Marvin, Ryan Heller, Jeff Deutchman, Dakota Johnson, Ro Donnelly, Samantha Racanelli
Starring  Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, Kyle Marvin, Michael Angelo Covino, Nicholas Braun, David Castañeda, O-T Fagbenle, Charlie Gillespie, Simon Webster
Cinematography : Adam Newport-Berra
Edited by Sara Shaw
Music by David Wingo, Dabney Morris
Production companies : Neon, Topic Studios, Watch This Ready, TeaTime Pictures
Distributed by Neon
Release dates : May 19, 2025 (Cannes), August 22, 2025 (United States), September 10, 2025 (France)
Running time : 104 minutes

Photos and video: Boris Colletier / Mulderville