Film: merv [2025] – Charlie Cox, Zooey Deschanel

merv is honestly totally formulaic but really cute. However, even an adorable terrier performer and a sexy Cox barely save this film.

Starring Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox, merv takes the most generic formula of romantic comedies, adds a cute dog to it, and blends it down to its basics.

I can’t blame the actors and workers for this generic film. Amazon MGM is taking clearly the Netflix route: Pump out enough basic content to drive subscribers, regardless of the originality or quality.

While the film is never meant to be groundbreaking, the extremely basic scripts makes it sometimes painful to watch. It’s honestly saved by Charlie Cox’s charisma and charm, and merv. This predictable holiday romance built around two still-in-love exes sharing custody of their dog is sweet but had potential to be more.

Romantic comedies are meant to have romance, and comedy. This film barely has any. While that’s not necessarily a deal breaker, having more than one smile per hour can be. Did I enjoy watching it while doing chores around the house? Yes. Does it need you to focus to enjoy it? Not at all, you’d probably like it even less.

Should You Watch It?

The script is perfectly gentle but barely funny. Worst of all, because Merv is sad, he does nothing but lie down and whine, which means even dog-lovers may be bored – and a little dispirited.

Where Can I Watch It?

merv is streaming on Prime Video in Canada.