The Killing of Two Lovers 2021

In a rural Utah town, a struggling father of four, David, finds himself confronting the fallout of his separation from his wife, Nikki. As tensions rise with Derek, Nikki’s new co-worker and boyfriend, David’s emotions spiral out of control. One fateful morning, upon discovering Nikki and Derek asleep in their bed, David contemplates a violent reprisal with his gun but ultimately chooses restraint, seeking refuge at his father’s home to regroup and ponder his next steps.

Despite their difficulties, David and Nikki maintain a semblance of civility, particularly when navigating the ramifications of their split, especially concerning their eldest daughter, Jess. Unbeknownst to David, Jess reveals to her father that she knows of her mother’s presumed infidelity, leading to a confrontation that unearths the complexities of their arrangements to date others. Attempting to reconnect, David and Nikki embark on a dinner date, only for it to be stunted by Nikki’s worries for Jess. Their conversation touches on their shattered dreams, revealing David’s past as a washed-up rock artist and Nikki’s aspirations of a law career, setting the stage for a painful reflection on what has transpired.

The evening escalates when Derek shows up for a date, igniting Jess’s pent-up frustrations. Back home, the emotional strain takes its toll on David; he vents his anger on a Body Opponent Bag, showcasing the family’s fracturing dynamics. In another attempt to bond with his sons, Theo, Alex, and Bug, David tries to share the humor of comedian Mitch Hedberg, but this is overshadowed by a heated spat with Nikki, who accuses David of causing confusion among their kids regarding their familial future.

Desperate for connection, David plans a weekend of model rocket launches with his children, but disappointment ensues when Jess’s rocket fails to launch, and she lashes out at him over his reluctance to reconcile. Though he comforts her, the evening devolves further when he learns Nikki denied Jess the chance to attend a concert for their outing, igniting a further conflict. Overheard by Derek, who is at Nikki’s house for the weekend, their argument drives David to confront Derek, who brutally confronts him about not deserving Nikki. Following this, David, in a haze of despair, mistakenly perceives Derek as a threat and fires his gun, only to realize too late that it was Nikki he struck.

The emotional turmoil culminates in a raw moment of vulnerability where both David and Nikki express their love amidst the chaos. Ultimately, the family appears to find a glimmer of hope as they shop for appliances together, a small but significant step toward healing, leaving in David’s truck with a sense of tentative optimism for their future.