Friendship (2025) Craig Waterman, a lonely suburban father, becomes obsessed with befriending his new neighbor, Austin Carmichael, a charming local weatherman. As Craig’s desire for connection turns into obsession, his life begins to spiral out of control. What starts as an awkward attempt at male bonding evolves into a darkly comedic and unsettling journey, exposing the fragile nature of adult friendships and emotional isolation.
🎬 Film Overview
- Title: Friendship
- Genre: Black Comedy
- Language: English
- Country of Origin: United States
- Runtime: 97 minutes
- Rating: R (for language and some drug content)
- Budget: Not publicly disclosed
- Box Office Gross: $8.4 million worldwide
📅 Release Information
- World Premiere: September 8, 2024, at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as part of the Midnight Madness program
- United States Theatrical Release:
- Limited Release: May 9, 2025
- Wide Release: May 23, 2025
- Distributor:
- United States and Canada: A24
- International: Republic Pictures (through Paramount Pictures)
🎥 Production Details
- Director: Andrew DeYoung (feature directorial debut)
- Writer: Andrew DeYoung
- Producers: Raphael Margules, J.D. Lifshitz, Johnny Holland, Nick Weidenfeld
- Cinematography: Andy Rydzewski
- Editing: Sophie Corra
- Music Composer: Keegan DeWitt
- Production Companies: Fifth Season, BoulderLight Pictures
🎭 Cast
- Tim Robinson as Craig Waterman
- Paul Rudd as Austin Carmichael
- Kate Mara as Tami Waterman (Craig’s wife)
- Jack Dylan Grazer as Steven Waterman (Craig’s son)
- Josh Segarra as Devon
- Billy Bryk as Tony
- Jason Veasey as Zed
- Jon Glaser as Big Sam
- Eric Rahill as Mike
- Conner O’Malley as Patton
- Carmen Christopher as Jimp
- Craig Frank as Buzz
- Omar Torres as Jared
- Jacob Ming-Trent as Nathan
- Daniel London as Stan
- Whitmer Thomas as Ian
- Raphael Sbarge as Garrett
- Ivy Wolk as Jen Peyser
- Meredith Garretson as Bianca
📖 Plot Synopsis
Friendship is a dark comedy that delves into the complexities of adult male relationships. The story follows Craig Waterman, a socially awkward suburban father and marketing executive who becomes enamored with his new neighbor, Austin Carmichael, a charismatic weatherman. What begins as a hopeful attempt at forming a friendship quickly spirals into obsession, as Craig’s efforts to integrate into Austin’s life lead to increasingly erratic and destructive behavior. The film satirizes the challenges of male bonding, highlighting themes of loneliness, emotional repression, and the societal expectations placed on masculinity.
🎵 Music
The film’s score is composed by Keegan DeWitt, known for his work on indie films such as Hearts Beat Loud and Gemini. DeWitt’s composition in Friendship complements the film’s tonal shifts, balancing comedic elements with the underlying tension of the narrative.
🧠 Themes and Style
Friendship explores the fragile nature of adult male friendships, particularly focusing on the emotional isolation that can accompany suburban life. The film employs a blend of cringe comedy and psychological drama to examine how societal norms around masculinity can hinder genuine emotional connections. Director Andrew DeYoung uses surreal and satirical elements to underscore the discomfort and desperation that can arise from unmet social needs.
📈 Reception
- Critical Response: Friendship received positive reviews from critics, holding a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 39 reviews.
- Metacritic Score: 81 out of 100, indicating “universal acclaim” based on 9 critic reviews.
- Audience Reception: While specific audience scores are not provided, the film’s exploration of male friendship and emotional vulnerability resonated with viewers, particularly those in their 30s, who found the narrative both relatable and thought-provoking.
🏆 Awards and Nominations
- Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024: Second runner-up for the People’s Choice Award in the Midnight Madness program.
