Merv: A Heartwarming Rom-Com Starring Charlie Cox and Zooey Deschanel | Prime Video

Prime Video has unveiled the first look at Merv, an upcoming romantic comedy starring Charlie Cox and Zooey Deschanel. Merv follows Anna (Deschanel) and Russ (Cox), a recently separated couple trying to manage the world’s most awkward co-parenting arrangement. After the couple’s beloved dog, Merv, loses his spark after the breakup, Anna and Russ are forced back into each other’s lives.

Hoping to cheer Merv up, Russ takes him to Florida for a much-needed vacation, only for Anna to tag along unexpectedly. As Merv slowly starts to get his groove back, it seems that fixing the dog’s broken heart may result in a few sparks between Anna and Russ. Check out Merv’s first-look images below:

The film is directed by Jessica Swale, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart, and produced by Matthew Baer and Roma Downey. Alongside Deschanel and Cox, the cast includes Saturday Night Live alum Chris Redd and Emmy winner Patricia Heaton. The film has a runtime of 105 minutes and is rated PG for family audiences.

The first-look images showcase the film’s bright, coastal Floridian setting and lighthearted tone, with Deschanel and Cox’s onscreen chemistry front and center. Deschanel, best known for her performances as quirky romantic leads in films like 500 Days of Summer and the hit sitcom New Girl, is returning to familiar territory. Meanwhile, Cox, best known for his more dramatic performance as Marvel’s Daredevil, is venturing into different, lighter material, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

Their pairing is expected to combine their comedic timing and emotional sincerity, which could result in a film that resonates with both rom-com fans and mainstream audiences. For now, the first-look images hint at what audiences can expect: the tension of a breakup, the forced proximity of co-parenting, the possibility of reconciliation, and most of all, the comedy of it all.

Dog-centric rom-coms are rare, but Merv could well become a standout by giving the dog the emotional center, and as teased in the premise and pictures, it seems that Merv will be more than just the animal sidekick, but rather a central character to the story.

In a streaming landscape dominated by high-budget franchises and intense action and spectacle, Merv offers something lighter, grounded, and genuinely sweet. For fans of rom-coms, pet stories, or Deschanel/Cox chemistry, Merv seems to check out all the boxes.

Merv is set to release on December 10 on Prime Video.