Rating 7/10
Craig Waterman (Tim Robinson) is a marketing executive in the fictional city of Clovis at a crossroads. His wife, Tami (Kate Mara), has recovered from cancer but feels neglected. He shows little interest in her flower business. She begins to drift back toward her ex-boyfriend Devon (Josh Segarra), leaving Craig feeling sidelined and frustrated. A chance encounter with Austin Carmichael (Paul Rudd), a local meteorologist, leads to an unexpected friendship that injects excitement into Craig’s life. The two bond over music, mutual dissatisfaction with their careers, and a desire for more out of life. Craig encourages Austin to chase his dream of becoming Clovis’s daytime weatherman, and Austin reawakens a sense of spontaneity in Craig. He attends one of Austin’s punk rock band performances at a local bar and they explore secret tunnels under City Hall.
Craig becomes invested in this newfound connection. But his insecurities come to a head when Austin invites him to a casual hangout with his friends. Things start well, with the group launching into a sing-along of “My Boo” by Ghost Town DJs—an atypical choice. The tune becomes an opportunity for them to bond. It got me listening to the song again in real life. (I expect it to end up on my Spotify Wrapped at the end opf the year.) Craig seems to fit in. But when the group moves to the basement for some playful boxing, the mood shifts. After taking two hits to the face, Craig retaliates with a cheap shot, shocking the group. To atone for his outburst, he shoves a bar of soap in his mouth–a bizarre act that is more unsettling than funny. The group calls it a night, and the camaraderie they offered Craig disappears. Austin begins to pull away. Craig is so pathetic at times that he elicits cringeworthy embarrassment rather than sympathy.
DeYoung directs this scene—and others—with an observational eye, letting awkward silences and social cues speak in place of dialogue. The film doesn’t chase punchlines. It finds humor in what’s unsaid, in body language, in lingering stares, in moments when someone tries too hard to be liked and ends up pushing people away. The pacing is loose and unusual, but that’s part of its charm. It builds on a lopsided rhythm that mirrors the uneven tempo of social interaction. It’s not the kind of comedy that delivers laugh-out-loud moments every minute, but the humor creeps up on you. There’s truth in it—especially for anyone who’s ever felt like the outsider in a group.
Friendship is an unconventional tale written and directed by Andrew DeYoung, rooted in the eccentric sensibility of its star, Tim Robinson. The tone resembles an extended version of Robinson’s sketch comedy: awkward but painfully relatable. That’s no coincidence—the story reportedly emerged from conversations between DeYoung and Robinson, who had worked together before and wanted to build a narrative around Robinson’s brand of socially inept behavior.
Robinson, who had a brief stint on Saturday Night Live, is the co-creator and star of the cult sketch series I Think You Should Leave. He brings his clumsy energy to the role. DeYoung, whose past work includes directing episodes of PEN15, The Other Two, and Shrill, has a talent for extracting laughs from the discomfort of everyday interactions. Their collaboration fuses Robinson’s absurdist instincts with DeYoung’s more human touch.
Friendship opened in U.S. cinemas on May 23, but didn’t make a splash at the box office. It still earned $16 million—a respectable total for a quiet, low-key release that wasn’t aiming for blockbuster numbers. Available to rent on digital platforms since June 17, Friendship is the kind of movie that might find its audience over time with its off-kilter rhythm. It’s memorable, especially for viewers who appreciate uncomfortable comedy with heart. Anyone who’s ever felt out of place at a party or tried too hard to make friends will find something familiar in it. This gem deserves a larger audience.
05-29-25