The foundation of countless forgettable romantic comedies is a reliance on trust, so it's baffling how anyone thought they could turn this concept into a drama or thriller. Brooke (Victoria Justice) enlists Amy (Katherine McNamara), who functions as a decoy, to evaluate her husband Owen’s (Matthew Daddario) fidelity—or, as Amy phrases it, "dangle a chick in front of my husband to see if he'd fuck her"—and then expresses shock when Owen does exactly that. It brings to mind George Carlin’s observation about people building homes near an active volcano and then complaining about the lava in their living rooms. I was also reminded of *The Departure*, a well-made 2020 drama exploring a similar scenario with considerably more intelligence. In that film, a man asked his best friend to test his girlfriend’s loyalty. That makes much more sense, doesn't it? *The Departure* recognized that such an ill-conceived plan is something a man might do, and preferably before getting married—it’s foolish regardless, but if you’re going to undertake it, do so when you’re single; at least then you can avoid potential heartbreak. Once you're committed, discovering the truth feels like something best left unknown (*The Departure* also handled the consequences of the characters’ choices with greater nuance). Brooke attempts to justify her actions, claiming "As they say in Vegas, baby, when you tie, it's a push"—suggesting not only that she slept with the painter Ansgar but also that it would be acceptable because Owen had already been unfaithful. While temptation might be irresistible for Owen, that doesn’t negate the fact that Brooke orchestrated the situation; this feels like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Ultimately, Brooke comes across as a manipulative woman who wanted to engage in questionable behavior while maintaining a sense of moral superiority—essentially, she wanted to enjoy the benefits without accepting any responsibility. If the movie had the courage to acknowledge her true nature, it might have improved her character (though then we wouldn’t be intended to like her). Instead, we're expected to feel sympathy for her and hope for a happy ending and the salvation of her marriage. The core issue is that Brooke herself represents the greatest danger to her own marital happiness with Owen.

Source on TMDB