Review: Sleeping With Other People

At first glance, the 2015 indie film Sleeping with Other People (directed by Leslye Headland) appears like your everyday standard, shallow comedy. The plot follows Jake (Jason Sudeikis) and Lainey (Alison Brie) as two frequent cheaters who lost their virginities to one another in college and reconnect at a sex addiction seminar. Doesn’t exactly sound like a movie that’d leave a lasting emotional impact, does it?

Except Sleeping with Other People is much more than what’s on the surface. Sudeikis has a natural charisma in his role as Jake, yet balances that potentially off-putting swagger with a surprisingly sympathetic depth. Meanwhile, Brie has a breakout role as Lainey, combining fragility in her sexual obsession with Adam Scott’s deadpan Dr. Matthew Sobvechik, with a girl-next-door charm. The film, as an exploration of the viewpoint of the offenders rather than victims of unfaithfulness in relationships, simply doesn’t work unless Sudeikis and Brie bring as much likeability to the table as they do.

Their chemistry also shines through the screen, making the moments where Lainey and Jake establish a platonic relationship–despite having clear attraction for one another–extremely sweet and believable. While the ending is predictable, there’s something to be said for the way Headland takes us along the two characters’ journey to get there. We can clearly see their development over the course of the film, leading to some truly powerful interactions.

It’s a shame Sleeping With Other People hasn’t received the buzz that it deserves; despite being positively reviewed by critics, it’s simply dropped off the radar in the three years since its release. That’s simply a shame, because I give Sudeikis, Brie, and Headland all the praise possible for their performances and subversion of genre expectations. If you’re looking for a comedy and tired of the gratuitous Judd Apatow-style film, Sleeping With Other People is a fantastic choice for its relatability and sheer romantic charm.