Making friends for some people is no easy task, especially as one reaches adulthood. Kids can form relationships from the smallest of encounters. Yet, as fully formed adults, this task can sometimes be associated with awkwardness because insecurities about whether or not we’re cool enough can take hold. Add in everyday adult commitments such as jobs and romantic relationships, other matters can take priority over making new friends. Despite this, we all still crave human connection, which Friendship, written by Andrew DeYoung in his directorial debut, explores from a hilarious and more often than not, very uncomfortable lens. DeYoung finds a healthy balance of making the exploration of friendships a funny experience for the viewer while also touching on the very real notion of how disconnected we can all feel from each other. In lesser hands, the film would verge on the absurd, but he finds the heart, even if some of the situations will make viewers wince.
The film follows Craig Waterman (Tim Robinson), a typical suburban dad who has no problem living in his comfort zone. He has a wife named Tami (Kate Mara), who has recently beaten cancer and is getting back into the world after being stifled by her disease. She also might be getting back into something with her ex, who happens to be a hunky firefighter. Tami wants Craig to expand his world beyond their relationship, too, and encourages him, in a sense, to make a new friend.
A new union is formed when a package meant for their new neighbors ends up on their doorstep. Tami wants Craig to walk the package over to its rightful owner, and that leads to him meeting Austin (Paul Rudd), a seemingly charming individual who hits it off with Craig. After Austin invites Craig over to have a drink after their first encounter, a potential friendship is formed, but Craig becomes so transfixed by Austin that the awkwardness he exhibits to try and fit in begins to take its toll, causing Austin to take a step back.
Friendship works because of how identifiable it is. We’ve all experienced moments where we may have stepped in it to be cool & just came off looking utterly ridiculous. Austin is everything Craig isn’t. He seems sure of himself and is naturally charismatic, while Craig seems like a constant work in progress. Austin smokes hand-rolled cigarettes and has a group of intellectual and supportive friends, something Craig lacks. It’s easy to feel bad for Craig when he makes more than a few awkward missteps to fit in with Austin’s friends. Is it funny? Sure. But that doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable and a bit sad to see Craig stumble so much.
Robinson plays Craig in a relatable way. Even though he is a good guy, he also shows signs that Austin could reject once they come to the surface. It’s an engaging performance that works on more than one level. Robinson is extremely funny because he isn’t afraid to make a fool of himself in a way that could make him off-putting. On the other hand, he finds a pathway to our sympathy. Once he feels Austin’s rejection and finds it impossible to go back to his life as he knew it before this meaningful platonic friendship, you can feel his pain.
As written, Craig is a fully fleshed out character and a great example of even though it seems like you have it all, lacking a sense of community can be isolating and lonely. He has the family, he has an important role at his job & his routine has served him well. However, this routine has cut him off from other meaningful relationships, and getting a taste of this new one with Austin shows him exactly what he has been missing in his life. Craig is so desperate for this new connection that the film shows him frequently walking uphill to Austin’s house. Visually, it’s funny because it’s such a trek, but deeper than that, it shows just how much Craig needs and wants his connection with Austin that he’s willing to literally go the distance for him.
Rudd has the easier role of the two because, as an actor and persona, he’s naturally likable. All he has to do is essentially be an exaggerated version of himself, and the audience understands why Craig is so enamored with him. That doesn’t make him any less hilarious, and it’s honestly funny to watch him in this position because in the 2009 film I Love You, Man, he was essentially Craig, someone lacking male friends to share a connection with.
While Friendship is often absurdly funny and very uncomfortable, once you look past the situational comedy, there is a real story about the power of human connection and how much we crave it, no matter what the age. These connections make us who we are, and it’s important not to wait too long to experience them because you’ll find yourself too settled to know what to do when they finally come your way.
Friendship is now playing in select theaters and opens wide on May 23, 2025, courtesy of A24.
While Friendship is often absurdly funny and very uncomfortable, once you look past the situational comedy, there is a real story about the power of human connection and how much we crave it, no matter what the age. These connections make us who we are, and it's important not to wait too long to experience them because you'll find yourself too settled to know what to do when they finally come your way.
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Hello! My name is Gaius Bolling: movie, TV, and pop culture junkie! The industry has been in my veins since I was a kid and I have carried that on through adulthood. I attended Los Angeles Film Academy and participated in their screenwriting and editing program. From there, I have learned to hone my skills in the world of entertainment journalism. Some of my favorite genres include horror, action, and drama and I hope to share my love of all of this with you.
