| Merv | |
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 Release poster | |
| Directed by | Jessica Swale |
| Written by | |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Julio Macat |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Tom Howe |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Amazon MGM Studios (via Prime Video) |
Release date |
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Running time | 105 minutes [1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Merv is a 2025 American romantic comedy film directed by Jessica Swale and written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart. It stars Charlie Cox and Zooey Deschanel.
Teacher Russ and optometrist Anna share weekly custody of their dog Merv since their break-up. However, Merv is diagnosed with a depression due to their break-up, upon which Russ takes him to a dog hotel in Florida. Believing he is still unhappy, Anna secretly travels after them.
At the hotel, Merv's mood improves upon having his humans reunited. When visiting Russ's parents, they slowly start to reconcile. He confesses he still loves her, however; Anna is reluctant. It is revealed that Anna shut out Russ when she found out that she is infertile. After their trip, Russ leaves her sole custody of Merv, claiming they promised him one home and that they can't go on like this.
Russ adopts a new dog from the shelter, who turns out to be depressed as well. At Christmas, they run into each other in the park and confess their love for each other and reconcile.
In March 2024, it was reported that a romantic comedy film titled Merv was in development, with Jessica Swale directing, Linsey Stewart and Dane Clark writing the screenplay and Zooey Deschanel starring. [2]
In May, Charlie Cox, Chris Redd, Patricia Heaton, David Hunt, Ellyn Jameson, Wynn Everett, Jasmine Mathews, Darren DesLonde, and Joey Slotnick joined the cast of the film. [3]
Principal photography began in April 2024, in Wilmington, North Carolina, [4] and wrapped in June. [5] Filming transformed part of Princess Street into a snowy winter holiday season setup in the summer, [4] as well as giving the Kure Beach Fishing Pier a makeover. [5]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 35% of 23 critics' reviews are positive. [6]