Michael Angelo Covino’s latest comedy Splitsville lit up the Cannes Film Festival on Monday night, drawing laughter and emotional applause during its world premiere. The film, which explores the complications of open marriage, received a warm six-minute standing ovation, moving Covino to tears as co-star Dakota Johnson embraced him onstage.
Johnson, attending Cannes for the first time, received an enthusiastic welcome from the audience. She modestly acknowledged the applause when the camera panned to her. Her co-star Adria Arjona also earned loud cheers, with her partner Jason Momoa seen clapping proudly in the crowd. Covino and long-time collaborator Kyle Marvin celebrated the film’s reception with a heartfelt hug.
“We need more comedies at Cannes,” said Covino after the screening. “Laughter belongs in theaters, not just on television.”
The screening drew several notable guests, including Hereditary director Ari Aster and Anora filmmaker Sean Baker, who won last year’s Palme d’Or.
Splitsville stars Johnson, Covino, Arjona, and Marvin. The story follows two couples whose relationships unravel after a request for divorce exposes deeper problems. According to the film’s synopsis: “When Ashley (Arjona) asks for a divorce, her husband Carey (Marvin) turns to their friends Julie (Johnson) and Paul (Covino), whose open marriage seems perfect—until Carey tests its limits.”
The 104-minute film opens with a satirical twist on a sexual encounter gone wrong and quickly spirals into a chain of emotional and comedic conflicts. As the couples attempt to navigate their shifting dynamics, the film delivers moments of outrageous humor, including full-frontal nudity and an absurdly violent showdown between Covino and Marvin.
While packed with laughs, Splitsville ultimately centers on communication and the emotional complexities of relationships, rather than just physical intimacy.
The cast also features Nicholas Braun, David Castañeda, Charlie Gillespie, Simon Webster, Stephen Adekolu, Tyrone Benskin, and O-T Fagbenle. Covino and Marvin co-wrote the script. Johnson produced the film through her company TeaTime Pictures, alongside Ro Donnelly.
Ahead of its Cannes debut, Splitsville was acquired by Neon, the distributor behind the last five Palme d’Or winners, including Parasite and Anatomy of a Fall.
The film marks Covino’s second feature after 2019’s The Climb, which also explored friendship and infidelity. That film premiered at Cannes in the Un Certain Regard section and later saw theatrical release via Sony Pictures Classics.
Splitsville is scheduled to hit U.S. theaters on August 22 through Neon.
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