Friendship movie review: Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd deliver a bizarre, hilarious, and surprisingly poignant satire on male connection.
Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd team up for one of the most hilariously off-kilter films of the year in Friendship, a dark comedy that examines male relationships through a painfully awkward and absurdist lens. Directed by Andrew DeYoung in his feature debut, Friendship debuted at SXSW and TIFF before hitting theaters via A24 on May 9, 2025.
Friendship Movie Plot
Robinson plays Craig Waterman, an anxious, socially inept man stuck in a dead-end job designing addictive mobile apps. When his wife (Kate Mara) encourages him to deliver a misdelivered package to a new neighbor, Craig meets Austin Carmichael (Paul Rudd), a charismatic local weatherman with a perfectly curated life. What begins as a potential bromance quickly spirals into an unhinged descent as Craig’s insecurities and desperate need for connection turn toxic—and very, very funny.
DeYoung expertly balances cringe comedy with emotional truth, channeling Tim Robinson’s signature chaotic energy into a character both repellent and heartbreakingly human. Rudd plays against type with a slick exterior hiding subtle cruelty, creating a dynamic that keeps the audience constantly off-balance.
Friendship is visually steeped in suburban malaise and emotional repression, using the bleak and snowy setting to underscore Craig’s isolation. And yet, despite its darkness, the film is laugh-out-loud funny, especially in scenes that veer into surreal group therapy or bizarre fight club antics.
Friendship Movie Trailer
The trailer for Friendship (2025) offers a tantalizing glimpse into A24’s latest dark comedy, blending Tim Robinson’s signature cringe humor with Paul Rudd’s charismatic presence. Watch the full thing here.
Our Final Thoughts
Not everyone will be on board with Friendship’s jagged, often uncomfortable tone, but for those who connect with its blend of satire and sincerity, it’s one of the most original comedies of 2025. It’s a bold, strange, and unforgettable look at what happens when one man’s desperate yearning for connection crashes against the brittle façades we all put up.
