Peter (Charlie Day) and Emma (Jenny Slate) are total strangers, but when they meet, one thing instantly bonds them: they were both unexpectedly dumped by their respective partners, Anne (Gina Rodriguez) and Noah (Scott Eastwood), on the same weekend. As the saying goes, “misery loves company,” but their commiseration turns into a mission when they see on social media that their exes have happily moved on to new romances, Anne with Logan (Manny Jacinto) and Noah with Ginny (Clark Backo).  

Terrified that, in their 30s, they have lost their shot at happily ever after and horrified at the prospect of having to start over, Peter and Emma hatch a desperate plot to win the loves of their lives back. Each will do whatever it takes to put an end to their exes’ new relationships and send them running back to their arms. 

SNAPSHOT REVIEW

At some point in life, most people get “dumped”, as in a relationship ends because one partner no longer feels connected or “in love” with the other anymore. So, just in time for Valentine’s Day, here’s a comedy about just that. Not about hooking up and living happily ever after, but about being blindsided when a partner says, “I think we should break up.”

The story goes like this. Two 30-ish couples unknown to each other, each have a break up when one partner decides to call it quits and move onto the next conquest. Then, randomly the two discarded individuals meet in a stairwell at work, and discover the same fate that they share. After some idle chit chat, the pair decide to make a pact to split up their former partners from their new loves.

There are enough laughs throughout as Peter and Emma stage their interventions of sorts. Without giving two much away, there’s sex, missed sex, and mishaps, especially when everyone (including the new partners) all end up meeting together, again by random chance, and the truth is revealed. Does anyone live happily ever after? You’ll have to watch until the end to find out.

Watch for an appearance from Saturday Night Live’s Pete Davidson as well.

I Want You Back premieres exclusively on Prime Video February 11, 2022.

Starring Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Scott Eastwood, Manny Jacinto, Clark Backo, Gina Rodriguez, Mason Gooding, Dylan Gelula, Jami Gertz, Isabel May, and Luke David Blumm

Directed by Jason Orley (Big Time Adolescence). Written by Isaac Aptaker & Elizabeth Berger (Love, Simon writers and This Is Us co-showrunners). Produced by Peter Safran and John Rickard of The Safran Company, Aptaker and Berger of The Walk-Up Company

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.