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Splitsville

Splitsville 2025

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Splitsville Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Splitsville (2025). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


Carey Kyle Marvin and Ashley Adria Arjona are a married couple who hit the road for a casual drive, trading light songs and playful closeness as they weave through the day. The mood shifts when Ashley loses interest mid-song, and a bold, impulsive moment follows: a handjob while they cruise. A passing couple honks, and soon they crash—careening over a dirt mound, the other vehicle’s driver badly injured and his wife ejected from the car. On the roadside, Ashley tries to revive the woman as a police officer arrives and confirms the tragedy. Carey’s awkward moment in the chaos—his entirely exposed state—drops the scene into a surprising, uncomfortable realism that sets the film’s tone for what follows.

The aftermath pushes Ashley to voice a difficult truth: she wants a divorce. She confesses she has been sleeping with other people, and she begins reading a letter she wrote for this moment. Carey bolts from the car, sprinting into a field, his emotions tangled with shock, hurt, and a reluctance to accept the end of their marriage.

Seeking refuge, Carey makes his way to the home of his and Ashley’s wealthy friends, Paul Michael Angelo Covino and Julie Dakota Johnson. There, he finds shelter and a listening ear, and an unsettling new truth emerges: Paul and Julie live in an open relationship. Carey spends the night with them, and a world of complicated feelings unfurls as the trio navigates trust, desire, and boundaries within this unconventional arrangement.

The next day brings a reluctant confrontation with a man who claims Paul and Julie’s son Russ Simon Webster stole his jet ski, a charge the man repeats with insult. Carey stands up to him, the confrontation turning physical before Julie intervenes, smashing the intruder with a well-timed strike. As the day unfolds, Carey and Julie grow closer, and their bond deepens into a moment of intimacy that complicates everyone’s beliefs about loyalty and honesty.

When Carey returns home, Ashley has moved on to another relationship, this time with a man named Jackson Charlie Gillespie. Carey’s reaction is complex: he seems unfazed on the surface, even preparing food for Jackson, while Ashley slowly reads her letter and contemplates the future. In time, Carey confesses he has slept with someone, and the truth behind the open relationship begins to surface in painful ways. Ashley consents to the idea of an open arrangement, but the emotional stakes remain high as Jule and Paul observe the shifting dynamics with wary eyes.

As the days pass, the group’s delicate balance frays further. Ashley introduces new lovers, including Fede David Castaeda and Antoneta Nahéma Ricci, who start living in the house, which irritates Ashley even as Carey maintains casual friendships with them. Paul, who has separated from Julie, arrives to confront Carey about his entanglement with Julie, stirring tension unless Ashley steps in with a practical stance. Julie admits she never slept with anyone during the marriage’s open phase, and a tense, awkward pause hangs in the air as accusations and insecurities surface.

The school becomes a focal point when Russ lands in trouble—pantsing another child leads to a broken arm, an uncomfortable meeting with the school director Dr. Ott [Tyrone Benskin], and an eventual expulsion. Paul is pulled into financing issues and finds himself facing tax troubles that threaten their asset base, including the beach house. The revelation that Julie has been sleeping with Carey compounds the strain, even as Carey’s own admission lands with a heavy weight. The adults’ fights spill into legal and financial consequences, culminating in a situation where Paul faces jail time, divorce papers, and a reconsideration of what they owe one another.

The tension reaches a fever pitch at Russ’s birthday, where Matt The Mentalist Nicholas Braun performs for the kids, while Paul presents a plan to appear as if he has a new girlfriend—Keri Jessika Mathurin in disguise—to provoke jealousy. Ashley sings a song that reminds Carey of their early connection, and the group’s fragile alliances begin to crumble under the weight of jealousy, longing, and the fear of loss. A kitchen confrontation erupts into a brawl as the four adults grapple with what they want from one another. A dramatic blaze—ignited inadvertently by oversized candles and an impulse to keep Russ entertained—threatens everyone, only to be snuffed out by a fire extinguisher and a quick dose of luck.

In the aftermath, the hospital lights glow with a sense of fragile renewal. Carey and Ashley discover they are nonetheless capable of building a life together, and they become parents to a baby boy, hinting at a lasting reconciliation. The beach house settles into a new rhythm as a kind of informal bed-and-breakfast, a symbol of how the adults have learned to live with each other’s needs. Julie and Paul, no longer a traditional couple, maintain a rooted but unconventional closeness that lingers in the air. Russ continues to push boundaries, sometimes testing limits in ways that force the adults to confront the consequences of their choices. The story closes on a note of complex, evolving relationships, where care, competition, affection, and resilience intertwine against the backdrop of a sunlit coast and a shared, imperfect family life.

Splitsville Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Splitsville (2025) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Opening car crash on the parkway

Carey and Ashley drive along the parkway, singing together as Ashley tries to spice things up. She gives Carey a handjob while he’s driving, and their car ends up flipping after crossing a dirt mound. A police officer arrives and confirms the woman in the other car is dead, leaving Carey exposed and shaken.

Opening scene Parkway

Ashley reveals she wants a divorce

Back in the aftermath of the crash, Ashley tells Carey that she wants to divorce. She admits she has been sleeping with other people. Carey panics and bolts from the car, running through a nearby field in shock.

The same day

Carey seeks refuge with Paul and Julie

Carey swims to the home of their wealthy friends Paul and Julie and shares the news about Ashley. He ends up staying the night with them, where they reveal that they’re in an open relationship. Carey begins to grasp the world he’s been drawn into.

The next day Paul and Julie's home

Jet ski dispute and sexual tension

The next day, a man shows up accusing Paul and Julie’s son Russ of stealing his jet ski. Carey defends Julie when the man insults her, and the confrontation escalates. Afterward, Carey and Julie bond and have sex, deepening the complicated dynamic between them.

The next day Paul and Julie's home

Blowup over the affair

The following day, Carey tells Paul about sleeping with Julie, expecting openness to rule the day. Paul slaps him, and a violent fight erupts inside the house. Paul even tries to burn Carey with hairspray, they crash into the pool, and Julie and Russ return to witness the chaos; they all apologize for letting the situation spiral out of control.

The following day Inside the house / pool area

Carnival day and jealousy

Carey joins Julie and Russ at a carnival where he helps Russ win fish but accidentally loses them on a roller coaster. A single dad, Brent, flirts with Julie and Carey grows jealous of the attention. Julie confronts Carey about his behavior, and he opens up about how much the night meant to him.

Same day Carnival

Open relationship solidified

Back home, Ashley starts seeing other people and even moves lovers into the house. Carey appears unfazed, and Ashley resumes reading her letter as she and Carey discuss an open relationship; Carey reluctantly admits he’s already slept with someone, though not telling her it was Julie.

Following days Carey and Ashley's home

Lovers and confrontation over Julie

Ashley’s new lovers, including Fede and Antoneta, move in, while Paul confronts Carey about the Julie affair. Ashley’s feelings toward Paul sour, and she refuses to sleep with him as payback for Carey’s indiscretions.

Some time later Home

Drop-off, confession, and kiss goodbye

Julie drops Russ at school; Carey helps with the drop-off and then goes out with Julie. Julie reveals that Paul has shut his company and frozen their assets. Carey admits he can’t stop thinking about Julie, and Julie admits she never slept with anyone during their marriage; they kiss goodbye before Carey returns to work, with Paul watching from nearby.

School drop-off day School / work site

Paul careers through legal trouble

Paul ends up spending time in jail, with Russ believing he’s away on business. After a stint, Paul is released on early parole and signs divorce papers for Julie. Paul and Ashley attempt a provocative plan to make their spouses jealous, but they ultimately decide it isn’t worth pursuing.

Later Jail / home

Russ’s birthday chaos and revelations

The adults gather for Russ’s birthday party, where Matt The Mentalist performs for the kids. Paul pretends to have a girlfriend to provoke Julie, while Ashley tries to win Carey back with a song. A tense revelation that Paul never slept with anyone is followed by an explosive argument among the four adults, culminating in a small accidental fire that is swiftly extinguished.

Birthday party night Russ’s birthday party at the house

New family and fragile balance

Sometime later, a hospital scene reveals Paul injured but Russ and Carey resolve things. Carey and Ashley reveal they have a baby boy, suggesting their marriage might be fixed. The group spends time at the beach house, with Julie and Paul maintaining a loose, ongoing affair; Russ challenges the adults about the jet ski incident as Carey and Paul butt heads once more with a physical confrontation over it.

Some time later Hospital / beach house

Splitsville Characters

Explore all characters from Splitsville (2025). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Carey (Kyle Marvin)

Carey is a volatile, insecure husband whose marriage to Ashley is tested by her extramarital openness and his own jealousy. He fluctuates between tenderness and aggression, ultimately admitting he slept with someone (not revealing who) as he clings to the relationship. His impulsive actions trigger chaos within the group, yet he remains determined to salvage the family unit. By the end, he and Ashley face a future that includes parenthood and a redefined partnership.

💔 Jealousy 🧭 Insecurity 🤝 Complex relationships

Ashley (Adria Arjona)

Ashley is a confident, open-minded partner who pushes for an open marriage and explores multiple relationships within the circle. She navigates competing desires and the emotional fallout that comes with non-monogamy. Her actions drive much of the conflict, though she also shows a capacity for care and eventual commitment to a stable family life with Carey.

💖 Open relationships 💔 Infidelity 🧠 Complexity

Paul (Michael Angelo Covino)

Paul is a successful but insecure friend who supports an open relationship, and who resents the shifting dynamics when his wife Julie bonds with Carey. He displays sharp jealousy and engages in deceptive behaviors, including staging interactions to provoke reactions. His legal and financial troubles complicate the group’s already fragile balance, ending with strained but acknowledged connections.

💼 Wealth 💬 Deception 🧭 Ambition

Julie (Dakota Johnson)

Julie is a strong-willed partner who navigates the open relationship with pragmatism and passion. Her loyalties shift between Paul, Carey, and their circle, and she instrumentalizes dynamics to probe boundaries. Although she recognizes the risks of their arrangement, she seeks to preserve meaningful connections and eventually maintains a cautious, ongoing bond with Paul and Carey.

🎭 Power dynamics 💞 Affection 🧭 Complications

Russ (Simon Webster)

Russ is Paul and Julie’s son whose actions at school set off a chain of consequences for the adults. He embodies youth, impulsivity, and a restless energy that catalyzes much of the group’s drama. His misadventures at school and in the community influence how the parents relate to one another and to their own responsibilities.

🎯 Rebellion 🧒 Youth 🧪 Consequences

Brent (O-T Fagbenle)

Brent is a single dad who brings a contrasting, more straightforward dynamic into the mix. His flirtatious interaction with Julie creates tension and prompts Carey to re-evaluate boundaries. He leaves the scene with his son, highlighting the fragile balance between desire and responsibility.

👨‍👦 Fatherhood 🥊 Jealousy 🫶 Boundaries

Jackson (Charlie Gillespie)

Jackson is Ashley’s casual lover who participates in the open arrangement and shares in the domestic chaos. His presence underscores the casual, convenient nature of some of the relationships, while also highlighting the emotional complexities faced by the core pair.

🔥 Seduction 🎭 Romance 🗺️ Affair

Matt The Mentalist (Nicholas Braun)

Matt is a performer who appears at the birthday celebration and becomes part of the social tapestry surrounding the adults’ lives. He represents the playful—yet complicated—layer of adult friendships and romantic entanglements in the story.

🎤 Entertainment 💘 Love triangle 🎭 Party

Fede (David Castaeda)

Fede is one of Ashley’s lovers who moves through the house with the evolving dynamics of the relationship circle. His presence adds to the sense of instability and the sense that the house becomes a revolving door for guests and lovers alike.

💬 Affair 🏝️ Transience 🧪 Risk

Antoneta (Nahéma Ricci)

Antoneta is another lover staying in the home, contributing to the crowded, entangled atmosphere. Her presence heightens the mixing of personal boundaries and living arrangements, fueling the drama within the domestic space.

👭 Companionship 🧊 Mystery 🧩 Relationship dynamics

Keri (Jessika Mathurin)

Keri is Paul’s cover girlfriend, introduced with a wig and dress to stir jealousy and push the group toward revelations. Her role embodies the performative, deceptive side of the open-relationship world depicted.

🕶️ Deception 🗣️ Hidden relationship

Dr. Ott (Tyrone Benskin)

Dr. Ott is the school director who oversees Russ’s expulsion and the ensuing tension around responsibility and discipline. He represents the regulating force in the community amid the adults’ chaotic personal lives.

🏫 Authority 🧑‍⚖️ School 🧩 Discipline

Splitsville Settings

Learn where and when Splitsville (2025) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.


Time period

Present day

The events take place in contemporary times, reflecting current relationship norms and social dynamics. Open relationships, jealousy, and social status shape the conflicts and decisions of the adults. The story uses modern settings to explore love, forgiveness, and the complexities of non-traditional partnerships.

Location

Paul and Julie's Beach House, Local School, Carnival Grounds

The story largely unfolds around the sunlit beach house owned by Paul and Julie and the surrounding affluent social circle. Key scenes also shift to a local school where Russ causes trouble, and to a lively carnival that mirrors the couples' volatile dynamics. The setting blends coastal luxury with everyday community spaces, underscoring how the characters’ lives continually intersect.

🏖️ Beach house 💼 Affluent lifestyle 🏫 School 🎡 Carnival

Splitsville Themes

Discover the main themes in Splitsville (2025). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


💔

Love and Jealousy

The narrative centers on how love can be fragile when jealousy and insecurity surface. It follows Carey, Ashley, Paul, and Julie as desire and mistrust collide, testing the boundaries of commitment. The characters seek connection even as their actions threaten to break apart the family unit. The arc culminates in a fragile reconciliation and a redefined sense of family.

🤝

Open Relationships

The open relationship arrangement drives much of the plot and its tensions. Multiple lovers come in and out of the house, creating opportunities for intimacy and conflict alike. Boundaries blur as affection and jealousy intermingle, revealing both the appeal and the risks of non-monogamy. The story uses these dynamics to examine honesty, insecurity, and accountability.

🔥

Conflict and Forgiveness

A string of heated confrontations escalates into violent misfires, including fights, jealousy-fueled acts, and reckless behavior. The conflicts test the limits of loyalty within the group and within families. Despite the chaos, the characters seek forgiveness and, by the end, attempt to forge a steadier path forward together.

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Splitsville Ending Explained

Unravel the ending of Splitsville (2025) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.


In the final act the tangled relationships finally come to a head at Russ’s birthday party. Julie, still unable to let go of Paul, slips back into his arms and the two make love in the backyard, only to be caught by Carey, who watches the scene in stunned silence. Shortly after, Carey and Ashley give in to the attraction that has been simmering between them, sharing a kiss that quickly turns intimate. The night erupts into chaos when a fire breaks out; Paul rushes forward to help, demonstrating that, despite everything, he still cares for the people around him.

The aftermath shows how each character moves forward. Paul is later sentenced for the financial fraud that ruined his business, but he maintains contact with his old friends. When he is released, he discovers that Julie has filed for divorce, though she has not yet responded. Their connection remains a fragile mixture of lingering desire and unresolved hurt, and they continue to see each other sporadically, never fully rekindling their marriage. Meanwhile, Carey realizes that his brief fling with Julie was more about curiosity than love, and he chooses to commit to Ashley. The two eventually welcome a child, grounding themselves in a more conventional family life.

A year later the former circle reconvenes at the now‑converted beach house, now an Airbnb. Paul, Julie, Carey, and Ashley share a weekend that is less about romance and more about friendship, even as the men bicker over a jet‑ski accusation that ends in slap‑fight. Though the men still act childishly, the women—Julie and Ashley—watch with amused resignation, their bond stronger than before.

In short, the film closes on a bittersweet equilibrium: Paul and Julie remain linked by history and occasional intimacy but are no longer a couple; Carey and Ashley have built a new life together with a baby; and the once‑volatile friendships have settled into a tentative, if chaotic, camaraderie. The ending underscores that the pursuit of “open” arrangements rarely resolves deeper insecurities, and that genuine connection often emerges in the most unexpected, ordinary moments.

Splitsville Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Splitsville (2025). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.


In a sun‑drenched suburb where weekend brunches and pool‑side gatherings mask deeper uncertainties, Carey finds his seemingly steady marriage wobbling when his wife Ashley drops a surprising request for a divorce. Their long‑standing rhythm—filled with familiar jokes, shared drives, and quiet comfort—suddenly feels out of sync, leaving Carey to confront the unsettling possibility that love can loosen without any dramatic fireworks.

Seeking solace, Carey turns to his longtime friends, the charismatic couple Julie and Paul, whose effortlessly cool demeanor hints at an unconventional partnership. Their open‑marriage arrangement, spoken about with a blend of nonchalance and genuine affection, offers a fresh lens through which Carey views his own relationship troubles. The friends’ home, a stylish haven of contemporary design and easy laughter, becomes a backdrop for conversations that blur the lines between curiosity and temptation.

As Carey navigates these new emotional currents, the film swirls with a distinctly awkward comedy that thrives on uncomfortable silences, misread signals, and the occasional cringe‑worthy confession. The tone balances warm, almost tender moments with sharp, witty observations about modern love, making every interaction feel both intimate and oddly public. The characters’ earnest attempts to define boundaries—while simultaneously questioning what those boundaries even mean—create a lively tension that propels the story forward without ever leaning into melodrama.

Ultimately, the movie paints a vivid portrait of a group of adults wrestling with the evolving definitions of commitment, fidelity, and personal freedom. With its bright visual palette, quick‑paced dialogue, and a soundtrack that underscores both the humor and the heartache, the film invites viewers to wonder how far one will go to preserve connection when the familiar road suddenly forks into uncharted territory.

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