Friendships, like most relationships, can be complicated. I have had ones that have lasted for years, and other relationships with major conflicts that are never resolved. The good memories provided laughs, and the bad ones gave me harsh lessons about jokes and boundaries. It happens to the best of us, and some of those lessons were on my mind while watching Andrew DeYoung’s uncomfortably crass Friendship, starring Tim Robinson. Thankfully, I have never experienced anything this over the top. With that in mind, I was unfamiliar with the former Saturday Night Live actor’s brand of humor, so I watched an episode of I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson on Netflix before my screening of the new A24 comedy. What did I think afterwards? Friendship is uproarious and very uncomfortable, which fuels the hilarity.
The best part? Robinson, as Craig Waterson, delivers a dark comedic performance in which he slowly spirals out of control with chaotic outbursts that mask his grief and isolation. The awkwardness of the male breakup between him and Paul Rudd as Brian was a humorous premise that delivers as one of the funniest movies of the year. You laugh at funny one-liners worthy of quoting, but also chuckle at the uncomfortable moments to release tension.
See Also: ‘The Friend’ Review: Losing and Gaining Companionship
In the era of ghosting, it is remarkable to see a movie in which Rudd’s character intentionally does not want to continue the friendship. Sometimes, people drift apart or have a significant falling out and stop communicating. You can see Craig’s brokenness at the core of his marriage with Tami (Kate Mara), with whom he is the most disconnected. All his relational issues stemmed from his wife’s strained relationship.
What I admired most about Friendship was its unpredictable plot, unexpected character quirks, and how true to life it felt once you got past Craig’s ludicrous decisions. A lot of the movie gave me things to think about after it ended: how I interact with my friends and come across to their friends. Rudd is believable as the neighbor with many friends and is popular as the local weatherman. The bleak winter setting sets a tone of isolation and dread, during the cold months when dreary despair can linger for several weeks without end, an ideal time to put the movie to establish its themes. A harsh winter can affect our mental health, which we see here.
Friendship takes viewers to unexpected places and, like the best relationships, is unforgettable with life lessons like the perfect ending I won’t reveal. Though it might be a smaller movie, this would be the best movie to watch with the audience to witness the communal experience.
Friendship expands nationwide on May 23, 2025.
