Prime Video has released the first trailer for “Merv,” a new romantic comedy that puts a heartbroken dog at the center of a very modern breakup story. The film stars Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox as exes trying to move on with their lives while still sharing custody of their beloved dog, Merv. The movie will stream exclusively on Prime Video starting December 10, giving viewers a cozy, pet-centric option for holiday season viewing.
In “Merv,” Deschanel plays Anna Finch and Cox plays Russ Owens, a former couple whose split has clearly taken a toll on more than just their relationship. After the breakup, Merv loses his usual spark, and a vet suggests the dog is struggling emotionally in the aftermath of the separation. That diagnosis pushes Anna and Russ into what is described as “the world’s most awkward co-parenting arrangement,” built around vet visits, handoffs, and constant reminders of the life they used to share.
Hoping to lift Merv’s spirits, Russ decides a change of scenery might help and heads to Florida with the dog for a much-needed getaway. The plan becomes more complicated when Anna unexpectedly joins the trip, turning a simple vacation into an extended reunion neither of them really planned for. The trailer leans into that setup with beach outings, small comic moments, and quiet character beats, while Merv’s reactions are treated as seriously as those of his human co-stars.
The film comes from director Jessica Swale, with a screenplay by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart. Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox lead the cast alongside Chris Redd, Patricia Heaton, David Hunt, Ellyn Jameson, Wynn Everett, Jasmine Mathews, and Joey Slotnick. The movie is produced by Matthew Baer and Roma Downey, runs approximately 105 minutes, and is rated PG, positioning it as a family-friendly watch that still leans into adult relationship issues.
Although “Merv” is being promoted as a holiday-season title, early comments from the team describe it as a romantic comedy that uses the holidays as a backdrop rather than a traditional Christmas movie. The trailer reflects that tone, mixing festive lights and winter touches with warm coastal visuals and a focus on the emotional fallout of a breakup. For Deschanel, who is already closely associated with modern holiday viewing thanks to roles like “Elf,” it marks a return to a heartfelt, slightly offbeat story built around connection, regret, and second chances.
A major part of that appeal comes from Gus, the terrier mix who plays Merv. Early first-look coverage highlights how expressive he is on camera, and the trailer backs that up with several lingering shots on his face as Anna and Russ struggle to figure out what is best for him. The premise positions Merv’s emotional journey as the thread that pulls his owners back into the same orbit, with the question of their own future left hanging as the story unfolds.
“Merv” was filmed in and around Wilmington, North Carolina, with local reporting noting that Kure Beach, Carolina Beach, and parts of downtown Wilmington were used to stand in for various locations in the film. During production, streets were dressed for winter, complete with artificial snow and holiday decorations, even though the shoot took place in warmer months. That blend of coastal settings and seasonal imagery shows up throughout the new trailer and helps set the film apart visually from more traditional snowy holiday romantic comedies.
With the trailer now available, Prime Video is positioning “Merv” as a feel-good streaming option centered on pet co-parenting, complicated exes, and the idea that sometimes fixing a dog’s broken heart might mean confronting unresolved feelings of your own. Viewers will be able to see how Anna, Russ, and Merv’s story plays out when the film begins streaming on Prime Video on December 10.
