Based on Sigrid Nunez’s bestselling novel, The Friend is a poignant and powerful story of grief and the unexpected ways that we heal. Following the sudden death of her friend and former professor, Walter (a pitch-perfect Bill Murray), Iris finds herself the guardian of Apollo, his beloved—and ginormous—Great Dane. What begins for Iris as a completely overwhelming arrangement gradually evolves into a life-changing experience.
Naomi Watts (Feud) delivers a touching performance as Iris, a writer and teacher who grapples with the absence of her mentor while also caring for his giant, grieving dog in a small, rent-controlled, no-pets-allowed apartment. A cat person, Iris never expected to be responsible for a dog, let alone one the size of a small horse who misses Walter as much as she does. No one, including herself, believes this arrangement will work out.
This new living situation isn’t ideal for anyone. Iris is struggling to write a book about Walter’s life, and his multiple ex-wives and assorted self-absorbed friends aren’t making her adjustment to being a dog mom while working on the book any easier. The Friend captures the frustration, sheer chaos, and days when drinking a bottle of wine seems the only way to make it through the night.
Both Iris and Apollo display unmistakable signs of loss; their grief is tangible. Fortunately, writers and directors David Siegel and Scott McGehee inject enough humorous moments and relatable dog ownership events to lighten the otherwise intensely emotional story. (Carrying a bag with poop the size of a bunch of grapes through the streets of New York will never fail to be funny.)
The Friend is about how Iris’s relationship with Apollo changes both their lives for the better. It’s about the understanding that grows between them, the bond that forms because of shared loss, and the solace Iris discovers from such an unexpected source. The movie shows how caring for another being—in this case, one with four legs that weighs 150 pounds and hogs the bed—can become an emotional lifeline and a source of strength and comfort.
The story revolves around a devastating loss, yet it’s surprisingly life-affirming. It captures the messy realities of grief and the possibilities of healing by opening our hearts, whether it be to a person or a furry friend. The Friend will tug at your heartstrings, but if it doesn’t, you better check for a pulse.
GRADE: A-
Rating: R for a sexual reference and language
Running Time: 2 hours 3 minutes
Release Date: April 4, 2025
Written and Directed By: David Siegel and Scott McGehee
Distributed By: Bleecker Street
Starring: Naomi Watts, Bill Murray, Sarah Pidgeon, Carla Gugino, Constance Wu, Noma Dumezweni, Ann Dowd, Felix Solis, and Bing as Apollo
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