Friendship
**Seen at the 2025 Atlanta Film Festival
When the lonely are befriended, it can feel like a new world is opened up to them. If they are fundamentally introverted individuals, it can also mean that we don’t read social cues that well. Craig (played by the remarkably funny Tim Robinson) is one such person, and seeing how his life derails after he’s befriended by Austin (a local weatherman played by Paul Rudd) is why “Friendship” is one of the most wicked of dark comedies in recent years.
There are a lot of movies that came to mind during Andrew DeYoung’s feature directorial debut. The two most prominent ones were “Observe and Report” and “The Cable Guy,” but there is something about DeYoung’s film that elevates it beyond those. I think it’s because Craig is not a stereotypical loner. Married with a child and a good job, he seems to have a good life. Yes, Tami (Kate Mara) has struggled with cancer, but she is in remission, and has a successful flower business. His son, Steven (Jack Dylan Glazer), is a stereotypical teenager, but they don’t get along poorly. But, Craig doesn’t really seem to have many friends, so when Tami suggests he go hang out with Austin, it should be an extension of what he already has in life. Instead, it becomes his obsession, and when Austin decides the friendship isn’t working for him anymore, it hits Craig hard.
There is truly delusional behavior from Craig as he goes into his spiral. It’s hard to fathom what we’re watching, but we follow because DeYoung and Robinson are so committed to the particulars of what is required for the character that, as deranged as he is, he also is empathetic in his own way. Rudd being the straight man of the two is an odd choice, but compared to Craig, Austin is downright normal. It also helps that there is a natural chemistry between the actors where they understand what the situation requires for maximum comedic effect. This is a bleak comedy, but it is still ridiculously funny, and it’s because of its leads.
“Friendship” leans most on the comedy side, but there’s also a darkness and surreal nature that is distinct and only adds to the humor. Craig’s attempts to befriend a phone store employee. His trying to “do something new” with Tami by taking her into the sewers like Austin did with him. The mysterious nature of her rekindled “friendship” with an ex. Steven realizing the need for money when he has girlfriends. And Craig’s trying to make drums his thing. But, there is one moment between Craig and Austin- a secret which Austin must trust Craig with- where the nature of the bond they have must be tested. That Craig does what he does in response to it makes it all the sadder the way this friendship ends up, but no less predictable.
