I Think You Should See “Friendship”
by J. Nagle
Early May saw the release of Andrew DeYoung’s Friendship through A24, starring Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd. The two actors have something of a cult following, the former being known for his over-the-top comedic performances in Netflix’s I Think You Should Leave and the latter in a multitude of comedies, as well as portraying Ant-Man in Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe. When on screen together in DeYoung’s directorial debut, they make for an absurd, unforgettable ride through the lives of two eccentric middle-aged men on two different—though not entirely incompatible—wavelengths.
With Robinson and Rudd’s unique and comedic chemistry throughout the film, it feels appropriate to question why the two haven’t co-starred in a segment of Robinson’s Netflix show before. Rudd is no stranger to the absurd in comedy, as can be seen in previous roles of his such as guest starring in Adult Swim’s Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! back in 2010. When the two meet on screen, their characters almost immediately click; the two strange men find comfort in their shared interest in the unusual around their small town. Part of the film’s fun comes from this varying level of respect between the two. Robinson’s character, Craig Waterman, finds himself with this almost parasocial bond between himself and this local weatherman he just met, played by Rudd. This weatherman, Austin Carmichael, fully acknowledges the instability of Craig as a person and their bond as a whole, but by the end of the film never fully loses this “respect”.
Friendship marks Paul Rudd’s second A24 excursion of the year, following Death of a Unicorn in which he co-starred with Scream’s Jenna Ortega as well as Will Poulter, recently known for his work in FX’s The Bear. The film so far has grossed over $15 million domestically in theaters, and will go on to earn more through today’s release of the film on digital platforms.
Friendship is now available for purchase and rental on Prime Video and YouTube Movies among other platforms, as well as select theaters across America.