Friendship (2024)

Director: Andrew DeYoung

Starring: Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, Kate Mara

A suburban dad falls hard for his charismatic new neighbor.

‘Friendship’ is so not what I expected, and I’ll say it straight out: I can’t recommend this unconventional ‘buddy’ comedy.

Craig (Tim Robinson) is an ordinary guy who is mostly being ignored by his family. He meets Austin (Paul Rudd) who has just moved into the neighbourhood. They become friends and soon Craig can’t seem to have fun without Austin. But it’s not in the way you might think (as I did). There is nothing gay here. Austin simply manages to make Craig see life differently.

Craig then tries to share this new outlook on life with his family, but it doesn’t go so well. Austin also might have started out “charismatic” but there definitely is nothing charming about him – certainly not from the halfway mark onwards. Why did he suddenly become such a prick?

Strangely, ‘Friendship’ is more sad – in a non-sad way – than funny. I didn’t find either of the leads very likeable – and disliked them even more as the film progressed. From adventures in sewers to licking frogs to get high, ‘Friendship’ definitely is not my kind of movie. I found it weird and couldn’t wait for the credits to roll.

Would I watch it again? No, definitely not.