🐶💔MERV (2025) — Prime Video’s Feel-Good Rom-Com With Zooey Deschanel & Charlie Cox Is About Love, Loss… and One Very Sad Dog 🐾✨

“There’s nothing more complicated than a breakup. Except when you’re sharing a dog.”

This holiday season, Prime Video is serving up a heartwarming and hilarious gift — MERV, a romantic comedy about heartbreak, healing, and the power of puppy love.

Starring Zooey Deschanel (New Girl, Elf) and Charlie Cox (Daredevil, Kin), MERV arrives December 10, 2025, and promises

to melt even the coldest winter hearts.

Get ready for a story that proves sometimes it takes a dog to bring people back together. 🐕💞

🎬 Quick Overview — MERV (2025)

Detail	Information
Title	MERV
Genre	Romantic Comedy • Feel-Good • Family
Directed by	Jessica Swale (Summerland)
Written by	Dane Clark & Linsey Stewart
Produced by	Matthew Baer, Roma Downey
Distributed by	Amazon MGM Studios
Production Companies	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Catchlight Studios, Lightworkers Media
Cinematography	Julio Macat (The Holiday, Home Alone)
Music by	Tom Howe
Edited by	Annette Davey & Nancy Richardson
Runtime	1h 45m
Release Date	🎄 December 10, 2025
Platform	Prime Video (Worldwide)
Language	English

🐾 The Story — When Love Gets Messy, Fetch Some Hope

After their breakup, Anna (Zooey Deschanel) and Russ (Charlie Cox) are trying to move on with their lives — but there’s one small problem: they share custody of Merv, their beloved golden retriever.

When Merv starts showing signs of doggy depression (yes, really), Russ decides to take him on a sunny Florida vacation to cheer him up. But his plan takes a wild turn when Anna unexpectedly shows up.

Between awkward reunions, sand-covered chaos, and a few heartfelt moments under the palm trees, the exes realize that maybe — just maybe — it’s not only Merv’s heart that needs healing.

“Sometimes love needs a second leash.” 🦴

It’s Marley & Me meets The Holiday — a rom-com with fur, feelings, and Florida sunshine.

❤️ The Cast — Charm, Chemistry, and Canine Chaos

Actor	Role	About the Character
🩵 Zooey Deschanel	Anna Finch	A quirky, idealistic music teacher still figuring out how to move on — until Merv gives her a reason to look back.
💙 Charlie Cox	Russ Owens	A practical, slightly uptight architect learning that some things — and some dogs — are worth fighting for.
💛 Chris Redd	Vice Principal Desmond	Anna’s co-worker and comedic chaos agent who delivers wisdom between laughs.
💜 Patricia Heaton	MJ Owens	Russ’s loving but meddling mom, determined to see everyone (and Merv) happy.
🧡 David Hunt	Jack Owens	The charming dad with advice that’s half-useful, half-hilarious.
💖 Ellyn Jameson, Wynn Everett, Jasmine Mathews, Joey Slotnick	Supporting Cast	Friends, neighbors, and therapists who add heart and humor to the chaos.

🎥 Behind the Scenes — The People Who Brought the Pawfect Story to Life

Director Jessica Swale, known for her tender storytelling in Summerland, brings a balance of heart and humor that makes

MERV feels both grounded and magical.

Cinematographer Julio Macat (The Holiday, Home Alone, Pitch Perfect) gives the film a cozy, cinematic warmth — from snowy breakup scenes to golden Florida sunsets.

And with a script by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart (Stay the Night, You Might Be the Killer), expect sharp banter, genuine emotion, and plenty of laughs.

Music comes courtesy of Tom Howe, blending nostalgic romance with playful, feel-good energy.

🐕 Why “MERV” Works — The Heart Behind the Humor

What makes MERV stand out isn’t just the dog (though Merv is adorable — seriously, he deserves an Oscar). It’s how the film captures something real about modern love: the messiness, the growth, and the little moments that remind us why we fall in love in the first place.

This isn’t a rom-com about perfection — it’s about people who get it wrong, fix it, and learn that sometimes love comes back around… wearing a leash.

Expect:

🐾 Clever, heartfelt writing that balances breakup pain with belly laughs.

🌴 Florida backdrops bursting with warmth, hope, and golden-hour glow.

🎶 A whimsical soundtrack that echoes the movie’s emotional rhythm.

🐕 Merv the Dog, the emotional core and chaos engine of the story.

🎄 Perfect for Holiday Streaming Nights

Releasing December 10 on Prime Video, MERV is perfectly timed for cozy-season bingeing.

It’s the kind of film that makes you want to:

☕ Curl up with hot cocoa

🐾 Hug your pet

💞 Text your ex (or maybe don’t)

It’s heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply human — a holiday movie that delivers warmth without the clichés.

🌟 Official Synopsis

When their dog Merv starts spiraling after their breakup, Anna and Russ must reunite for a sunny Florida getaway. As they team up to lift Merv’s spirits, they might just rediscover their own spark — proving that sometimes, love deserves a second chance (and a few tennis balls).

🐾 Final Thoughts — Love. Laughter. Leashes.

MERV is everything a holiday rom-com should be — funny, warm, and full of heart. With Zooey Deschanel’s effortless charm, Charlie Cox’s quiet humor, and one very lovable dog, this Prime Video original is set to become a December streaming favorite.

“Love is messy. Breakups are hard. But dogs? Dogs make everything better.” 🐕❤️

🎥 Stream MERV worldwide on Prime Video starting December 10, 2025.