Merv

Merv has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in Australia on Amazon Prime Video, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch it for Zooey Deschanel — stay for everyone else around them. Start it on Amazon Prime Video whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Merv earns its spot. Merv does what great comedies rarely manage — it is actually funny, consistently, across the whole run. 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. Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2025. The timing in Merv is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, Merv respects your intelligence. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Zooey Deschanel is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.