The Break Up Bet With My Billionaire Ex

starring: BRITTANY PIROZOLLI & LUKE CHARLES STAFFORD

SYNOPSIS

When Layla and Joshua break up, they sign a pact: if they're both single in five years, they'll marry. Five years later, Joshua, now a world-famous chef, becomes the head chef at Layla's restaurant. He wants her to honor their agreement, but Layla, hiding her health struggles, lies about being engaged. Despite this, their chemistry reignites, making it impossible to ignore.

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Now I was in danger of writing it off as I thought it was another Breaking The Ice dupe, and was alarmed by the dreadful hair Joshua has in the flash backs

I WAS SO WRONG

This is very, very good. Brittany Pirozolli and Luke Charles Stafford were great together in Runway Princess Bride. I think there are career-best performances from both of them in this, which shows what vertical actors can do when given a great script.

Layla and Joshua are fantastic because both characters have flaws. She takes too many decisions on herself, loses her temper, and shuts down emotionally. He can be arrogant, petty and makes some bad decisions. But they love each other so much. And make each other better.

And you feel every moment of this story because of the actors

Brittany Pirozolli has that much longed for screen presence. You just want to watch her all the time. And she never makes Layla weak, even when the bullying is happening.

Luke Charles Stafford has always been good. But the scene on the patio under the moon. It is phenomenal and he will break your heart.

And it doesn't stop there

Brandon Keith Rogers gets so much more to do as best friend Benny, and that moment where he cries in the hospital made me cry. It's so good seeing a secondary character get more to do

Same with Bella Gil as Julia. We all expect her to go vert villain. But is it much more effective having her help bring the leads together, even though we know she likes Joshua herself. That stays with you much longer. And Bella Gil gives Julia this hint of sadness underneath the kindness

Even our 'villain' Blake (Jennifer Gionfriddo) has more depth, I actually felt for her at the end when she is devastated at being fired. And Mrs Reed (Joanne Zimbler) is again given layers, and delivers a heartfelt apology at the end, and a perfect moment with the handing over of the journal

It's all very well out together. This isn't the lightest story, but it is such a lovely grounded love story between two flawed people who just want the best for each other.

Thank you so much to everyone involved, in particular the writers

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

Brittany Prirozzoli and Luke Charles Stafford are magnetic together, and will totally break your hearts. And then the reveal in the journal at the very end, with the wedding.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

Blake has a few moments, but it is well done, and you can almost understand her frustation at working her way up in the kitchen all those years to then lose out to a newcomer. But really it is about our leads not communicating, and the fact that life throws up hard things.

😂 Comedy gold:

Not a comedy one this one, so played straight. The wig that Joshua wears in the flashbacks is dreadful - I wish it could have been something like glasses instead.

🎺 Unsung hero:

I just want to acknowledge how well written, and how well acted the 2 friend roles were - Brandon Keith Rogers as Benny and Bella Gil as Julia. Supportive friends, who genuinely want the best and help Layla and Joshua. So refreshing to see in a vertical. Thank you

✍🏼 DETAILS

Director | Tara Motamedi 2025

Available on Reelshort