Genre(s) – Comedy
Director – Andrew DeYoung
Writer – Andrew DeYoung
Cast –Paul Rudd, Tim Robinson, Kate Mara, Jack Dylan Grazer, Josh Segarra, Billy Bryk
Runtime –101 Minutes
My Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Where To Watch/Stream Friendship
I haven’t laughed this hard and cringed this deeply at the same time since I accidentally called my high school English teacher ‘mom.‘
I really was not prepared for what Friendship brings to the table.
If you’ve ever met someone who tries way too hard to be liked, you’ll probably recognize some of Craig Waterman in your own life. Maybe even in yourself, which is both sad and hilarious, depending on how much wine you’ve had, you know?
Yeah, you know.
Plot Summary of Friendship (Spoiler-Free)
Friendship centers around Craig Waterman (Tim Robinson), a deeply awkward marketing executive living in the very beige town of Clovis, Colorado.
He’s got a teenage son, Steven (Jack Dylan Grazer), and a wife, Tami (Kate Mara), who is in recovery from cancer, and his world is stable, predictable, and utterly lonely.
But, the man has no friends, not one. His wardrobe is 90% khaki, he collects weird facts like they’re baseball cards, and he seems completely unaware of how off-putting he is.
One day, a package meant for his neighbor ends up on Craig’s porch, and being the kind of guy who probably over-practices small talk in the mirror, he decides to walk it over.
That’s when he meets Austin Carmichael (Paul Rudd), a charismatic local weatherman who just moved into the neighborhood with his wife, Bianca (Meredith Garretson).
Austin, for reasons that are never fully explained but are probably rooted in boredom or masochism, decides to invite Craig into his social circle. At first, Craig is overwhelmed but thrilled, he’s never really had “bros” before.
But it doesn’t take long for his eccentricities to start clashing violently with normal social cues. What follows is a slow, excruciating social car crash, with Craig trying way too hard to fit in and Austin trying just hard enough to regret ever opening the door.
Friendship Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Friendship doesn’t feel like a typical studio comedy, and that’s a good thing. It’s not chasing cheap laughs or aiming for safe relatability.
Instead, it drills down into something way more specific, the sad, desperate, funny, sometimes terrifying ways that adult men try (and fail) to connect.
And while the film is weird, in all the best ways, it also takes its weirdness seriously. Craig isn’t just an eccentric goofball, he’s a fully-realized, emotionally stunted man who can’t see how others perceive him.
He’s not trying to be funny, he’s trying to be liked. And that gap, between who he is and who he thinks he needs to be to fit in, is where the comedy lives. And sometimes, it’s where the horror lives too.
Tim Robinson gives a performance that’s brilliant. It feels improvised in the best way, like he’s just living inside this character who thinks that telling people about a 20,000-calorie meal called the “SEAL Team 6 Special” is the key to social success.
Paul Rudd, as Austin, is perfectly cast as the guy who seems chill and friendly until you realize he’s actually kind of shallow and passive-aggressive. Their dynamic is fascinating to watch, because it shifts from buddy comedy to psychological warfare without ever losing its sense of humor.
The writing is sharp, the direction is focused, and the film never overstays its welcome. It keeps the tone balanced between absurd and grounded, which is no small feat. And while it definitely gets dark (especially in the last third), it never stops being funny.
The biggest criticism I have is some of the characters are a bit under baked, the one’s that aren’t work, and they work very well, but some of the others such as Bianca and Tami needed fleshing out a whole lot more.
But with that said, I still really liked it, and the best way I can describe Friendship is to imagine if Step Brothers had a nervous breakdown, and then went to therapy..
That’s what you’re signing up for.
And you should absolutely sign on the dotted line for this, as it’s one of the best comedies I have seen in years.
But it might just be a bit too weird for some – You have been warned.
What I Liked (And What I Didn’t Like)
Pros
Tim Robinson’s Performance
Robinson’s portrayal of Craig is next-level. It’s not just funny, it’s unnervingly accurate. He plays Craig like a man who read a book about human interaction but skipped the chapters about boundaries and self-awareness. You feel for him, even when you’re covering your face in shame on his behalf.
Paul Rudd’s Charming Weaponry
Rudd is at his best when he’s playing someone who seems nice but has a passive-aggressive streak a mile wide. As Austin, he’s the perfect foil for Craig. He’s welcoming enough to seem like a good guy, but cold enough to remind you he’s only ever one awkward moment away from ghosting you forever.
The Comedy-Drama Balance
This film walks a tightrope between cringe comedy and emotional breakdown. And it nails it. One minute you’re laughing at a grown man talking about Marvel movies with childlike glee, the next you’re realizing he has absolutely no emotional tools to connect with his wife.
The Weird Details
From Craig’s tan-and-brown wardrobe to his obsession with a meal based on what Navy SEALs ate after killing Bin Laden, the tiny details in this film are hilarious. They flesh out his character without needing long backstories. You know this guy. You just don’t want to be stuck next to him at a barbecue.
Honest Exploration of Male Friendship
This isn’t some cheesy “men need hugs too” storyline. It’s raw, it’s uncomfortable, and it’s painfully relatable. Watching Craig try to break into a friend group feels like watching someone try to learn a dance by watching a YouTube tutorial on 2x speed. It’s messy, but it’s real.
The Ending
No spoilers here, but the final act goes full throttle in a direction I did not see coming.
Cons
Bianca Deserved Better
Meredith Garretson plays Austin’s wife, and she’s given absolutely nothing to do. It’s a waste of a talented actress and a potentially interesting character.
Tami’s Storyline Felt Thin
Kate Mara tries her best, but Tami feels more like a concept than a person. She’s there to reflect Craig’s emotional cluelessness, but I wish we got to know her outside of that.
Some Bits Feel Over-Extended
There are a couple of scenes where the cringe comedy is drawn out just a bit too long. You start laughing, then you stop, then you get anxious, and then you wonder if you’re actually watching a psychological experiment.
Lack of Resolution for Side Characters
There’s a whole group of bros in Austin’s crew, and while they’re fun, we never really learn anything about them. They’re basically props for Craig to bounce off of.
Not For Everyone (Too Weird)
This film is proudly weird. Which is great if you’re into it, but it means a lot of people are going to watch 15 minutes and go, “Nope.”
Who Might Like Friendship
If you’re the type of person into very weird cringe comedy, with awkward characters, and absurd humor with just a sprinkle of emotional pain, you will want to give Friendship a try.
Who Might Dislike Friendship
If you need your comedy to be comfortable, straightforward, or nice, Friendship will make you very uncomfortable. It’s not feel-good, it’s feel-weird. Also, if you hate secondhand embarrassment? Stay far, far away.
Final Verdict: Did I Enjoy Watching Friendship?
Oh yes, I am proudly one of the weird ones.
It was uncomfortable, hilarious, and weirdly emotional.
It’s a comedy that actually has something to say about loneliness, masculinity, and the desperate need for connection, but it never gets preachy, it just gets weird. And sometimes, that’s the best way to say something honest.
8/10.
Friendship Trailer
Simon Leasher
A lover of cinema for over 35 years, I have watched many films from around the world in many different genres, yet I still normally always come back to trashy slasher horror films when in doubt. More
And yes, The Godfather 2 is better than The Godfather.
Discover more from Simon Leasher Film Reviews
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Be First to Comment