Common Sense Media Review
By Christie Cronan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mature, uneven romcom satire has drinking, swearing, sex.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Couples Weekend
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When a tree falls in the woods on New Years Eve in COUPLES WEEKEND, it sets off a chain reaction of events that force two married couples—Daveed Diggs and Alexandra Daddario and Ashley Park and Josh Gad—on a cozy cabin getaway to take a hard look at the perceptions and realities of their relationships, as well as the secrets and lies that they tell themselves and one another.
Is It Any Good?
This uneven romcom satire is trippy, but not in a fun way—more like an uncomfortable, awkward, out-of-touch-with-reality way. The relationships in Couples Weekend feel fake, the acting feels forced, and the chemistry is grossly misplaced. "Cringe" is the word that comes to mind due to the movie's overly dramatized humor that doesn't quite deliver a satisfying bite. While "the tree that falls in the woods" plot device provides a few moments of story clarity and relatability, the ensuing chaotic mess of drunken truths, mental spirals, and weird dance parties glazes over what could have been a poignant, heartfelt message for people struggling in their marriage/relationship. The film serves as a cautionary tale about love, trust, honesty, effort, accountability, growth, and self-awareness, but the honesty punchline largely gets lost in the satire and is likely to just leave viewers uncomfortable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the symbolic use of the philosophical idea of a "tree that falls in the woods" in Couples Weekend, which here is what kicks the story into gear. What messages about relationship perception vs. reality do you think the filmmakers want viewers to take away from this story?
How did this film make you feel? Stressed, entertained, uncomfortable? Does the movie's tone make harmful behavior seem more acceptable or less serious? How does that tone affect how seriously viewers take the characters' actions? Do you think they face realistic consequences? Why, or why not?
Are the movie's messages about love, trust, honesty, and accountability realistic, exaggerated, or misleading? How are real-life relationships different from the ones portrayed in this film?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 8, 2026
- On DVD or streaming : May 8, 2026
- Cast : Alexandra Daddario , Daveed Diggs , Josh Gad , Ashley Park
- Director : Nora Kirkpatrick
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Vertical
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Holidays ( New Year's Eve/Day )
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : May 8, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate