Our take
Merv is a PG comedy about exes Anna and Russ forced to co-parent their depressed dog after a split. Dialogue mentions dog depression, chocolate danger, passport-and-gun packing jokes, beer dates, funeral song lyrics, and dating-app lover names. Warm pet-centered humor for families with tweens and up
Uplifting themes
Cooperation, empathy for pets, and healing after divorce anchor the story Anna and Russ learn to prioritize Merv despite awkward history
Story (may spoil tone)
When their beloved dog Merv loses his spark after their split, Anna and Russ are forced into the world's most awkward co-parenting arrangement. Hoping to shake Merv out of his funk, Russ takes him to Florida for a much-needed getaway-only for Anna to show up unexpectedly. As Merv slowly gets his groove back, turns out fixing their dog's broken heart may lead to a few sparks of their own.
What we flagged
Scores are 0–5: 0 means none; 5 means the strongest we flagged in that category.
Details
Violence Chocolate-will-kill-the-dog panic and passport-gun packing played for c…
Chocolate-will-kill-the-dog panic and passport-gun packing played for comedy
Language Mild crap and oh-my-God exclamations fit the PG rating
Mild crap and oh-my-God exclamations fit the PG rating
Sex / nudity Dating-app lover nicknames and flirt jokes without explicit content
Dating-app lover nicknames and flirt jokes without explicit content
Drugs / alcohol Grab-a-beer invitations and bar socializing after the split
Grab-a-beer invitations and bar socializing after the split
Frightening No frightening found in this title
No frightening found in this title
Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title
No bullying found in this title
Gore / death / weapons No gore found in this title
No gore found in this title
Dangerous behaviour Chocolate is toxic to dogs; the film warns through comic panic
Chocolate is toxic to dogs; the film warns through comic panic
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health Dog depression mirrors the family's post-split emotional slump
Dog depression mirrors the family's post-split emotional slump
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement Funeral song lyric and it's-your-funeral banter in comic context
Funeral song lyric and it's-your-funeral banter in comic context
Talk after watching
- Merv reacts to the divorce like a family member. How do pets feel household stress?
- Anna and Russ must cooperate despite hurt feelings. What makes co-parenting work?