The Friend

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2:29

The Friend

R

Released Apr 4

2h 3m

Drama

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

130 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

250+ Verified Ratings

In The Friend, writer and teacher Iris (Naomi Watts) finds her comfortable, solitary New York life thrown into disarray after her closest friend and mentor (Bill Murray) dies suddenly and bequeaths her his beloved 150 lb. Great Dane. The regal yet intractable beast, named Apollo, immediately creates practical problems for Iris, from furniture destruction to eviction notices, as well as more existential ones, his looming presence constantly reminding her of her friend's problematic choices in both life and death. Yet as Iris finds herself unexpectedly bonding with the animal, she begins to come to terms with her past, her lost friend, and her own creative inner life.

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Critics Consensus

Leavening its parable of grief with some adorable human-canine bonding, The Friend is a winsome dramedy that'll resonate with pet owners and just about anyone who's experienced loss.

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Stephanie Zacharek

TIME Magazine

Scott McGehee and David Siegel’s film adaptation can’t quite capture the prickly subtlety of the book—yet on its own, it still works.

May 1, 2025

Full Review

Lou Thomas

Empire Magazine

Naomi Watts’ exceptional performance is the crucial element of this moving if flawed tale. The film to see if you’ve ever wondered how to tackle grief with a ginormous dog in the Big Apple.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 29, 2025

Full Review

Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

You’ve seen it countless times before, with Richard Gere and a devoted akita in Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, or Anna Paquin and motherless geese in Fly Away Home... The Friend, however, is the same but gloriously different.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 28, 2025

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Michael Calleri

Niagara Gazette

Ultimately, “The Friend” is an engaging examination of mutual support and the act of making beneficial changes to one’s life. Naomi Watts leads a superior troupe of performers. Apollo is played by a dog actor named Bing, and he’s terrific.

Jun 6, 2025

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Loren King

Newport This Week (RI)

“The Friend” sneaks up on you. It’s a sweet charmer that by the end, becomes a moving tale of what it means to be human, which is all it really takes to love a pet.

May 16, 2025

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Frank Wilkins

Reel Reviews

Let’s not fail to recognize the performance of "Bing" the canine actor behind Apollo, who was discovered after a six-month-long search. His performance forms the emotional core of the movie, showcasing his undeniable talent and making him a true standout.

Rated: 4/5

May 16, 2025

Full Review

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fern l

quirky story..great dane

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/22/25

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Chris

A somewhat slow-paced movie that explores grief and mourning for humans and canines. Subtle but touching performance by Naomi Watts and Apollo.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/18/25

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Robert

I thought the movie was thought provoking and basically well acted. And who doesnt like a movie that stars an adorable Great Dane!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/30/25

Full Review

Mike D

An emotional heartfelt movie with an NYC feel

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

Full Review

Diante

Certainly not a bad movie, but has its rough edges on a driven plot. It explores the grieving of a friend that has taken their life but does not go profoundly deep into what that looks like. The primary story revolves around Iris taking in Apollo (the Dane) and the challenges that causes, both emotionally and tangibly. What drew me to this movie was having a family Great Dane that recently passed. In ways, it helped me grieve, for which I am thankful. For anyone that has loved a dog, I think you’ll enjoy (and maybe shed a tear - that is entirely okay) and hopefully get a kind reminder of how important they can be. And certainly if you have lost a loved one to suicide, perhaps I hope there will be some empathy with you in the movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

Full Review

chrisdotcarey

Had read the both. This is a nice adaptation but the ending of the movie was more sentimental.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/25/25

Full Review

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Scott McGehee

Director

David Siegel

Director

Naomi Watts

Iris

Bill Murray

Walter

Noma Dumezweni

Barbara

Sarah Baskin

Mara

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The Friend: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In The Friend, writer and teacher Iris (Naomi Watts) finds her comfortable, solitary New York life thrown into disarray after her closest friend and mentor (Bill Murray) dies suddenly and bequeaths her his beloved 150 lb. Great Dane. The regal yet intractable beast, named Apollo, immediately creates practical problems for Iris, from furniture destruction to eviction notices, as well as more existential ones, his looming presence constantly reminding her of her friend's problematic choices in both life and death. Yet as Iris finds herself unexpectedly bonding with the animal, she begins to come to terms with her past, her lost friend, and her own creative inner life.

Director: Scott McGehee, David Siegel
Producer: Liza Chasin, Scott McGehee, David Siegel, Mike Spreter
Screenwriter: Scott McGehee, David Siegel
Distributor: Bleecker Street
Production Co: 3dot productions, Big Creek Projects
Rating: R (A Sexual Reference|Language)
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 4, 2025, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 29, 2025
Runtime: 2h 3m

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