Comedy films have been fewer and farther between lately, however this new A24 film, now on streaming, is a must-watch within the style. After the box office performance of The Naked Gun, there’s some hope that comedies might quickly see a renaissance, as a few of the finest modern comedic voices flip their abilities to movie.
There have nonetheless been great comedies in recent years. Films like Pleasure Experience and Good Boys have made for excellent theatrical experiences, whereas streaming has seen much more hilarious hits. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm and Summer season of 69 are just a few sturdy examples of this.
With 2026 seeing a giant, new comedy from South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, and growth underway on reboots to spoof properties Spaceballs and Scary Film, comedies are on an upward trajectory. A lot of this modification in perspective is because of high quality works from the previous a number of years, together with this compelling new movie.
Paul Rudd & Tim Robinson’s Friendship Is A Hilariously Cringe Comedy
Friendship, the directorial debut function from Andrew DeYoung, is a brand new comedy now streaming on HBO Max. The movie tells the story of father and husband Craig Waterman as he strikes up a friendship together with his a lot cooler neighbor, Austin Carmichael. Whereas the 2 initially join, a few of Craig’s unusual actions wind up putting them at a distance.
Tim Robinson has change into such an authentic voice in comedy. His character in Friendship feels pulled straight from the best sketches on I Think You Should Leave, however the movie additionally takes the time to humanize his absurd options. A lot of the comedy within the movie feels satisfyingly akin to that present.
Friendship‘s Rotten Tomatoes score is shockingly excessive, with the movie licensed contemporary and carrying an 87% approval ranking from critics. Notably, the Rotten Tomatoes viewers ranking is a much less effusive 73%. Whereas nonetheless constructive, this does precisely attest to the transgressive really feel of the movie’s comedy.
A lot like The Banshees of Inisherin, Friendship chronicles the painful dissolution of a relationship between two males. Whereas the brand new movie does flip almost as brutal because the Martin McDonagh function, it does look at a few of the deeper character moments in some sudden methods.
Friendship earns laughs, however a few of them really feel off. Robinson’s Craig experiences harrowing isolation, and in trying to attach with each his neighbor and his household, he finds himself being pushed farther and farther away. There’s a deep loneliness to Craig, and it typically feels merciless to snort at his misfortunes.
Regardless, the movie is among the many stronger comedies launched in 2025, and is value testing as audiences await one other season of I Suppose You Ought to Depart. A surprisingly emotional script, nice humor, and wonderful performances make Friendship a must-see on HBO Max.
Friendship
7/10
- Launch Date
-
Could 9, 2025
- Runtime
-
100 minutes
- Director
-
Andrew DeYoung
- Producers
-
Paul Rudd, Nick Weidenfeld, J.D. Lifshitz, Johnny Holland, Raphael Margules, Alexis Garcia
-
-
Tim Robinson
Craig Waterman
