The upcoming indie film “Friendship,” starring Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd, dives into the strange togetherness of dudes. It shows in rich detail just how fragile and dangerous these connections can be. Directed by Andrew DeYoung, the film depicts Craig, played by Robinson, a middle-aged man who spends his nights alone in a chair until he meets Austin, portrayed by Rudd. Their friendship is close and tender from the start. Everything changes when Craig’s strange antics push Austin to the brink, resulting in an excruciating break-up.
Friendship has already generated a good deal of controversy, starting with a recent showing at Vista Theater in Los Angeles, a theater partly owned by the famous auteur Quentin Tarantino. As a result, the film’s narrative brazenly attacks the unfortunate state of male friendships today. Specifically, it points to troubling statistics illustrating a shocking decrease in deep male friendships in recent decades. In 1990, 55% of men said they had at least six close friends. By 2021, this percentage had dropped to just 27%. The film deftly illustrates the emotional angst that so many men feel around their friendships.
It’s in these subdued, melancholic moments that Craig’s loneliness comes into sharp focus. Night after night, we watch as he sits in the same chair, longing for connection. When he finally meets Austin, their easy-going rapport provides a much-needed spark of optimism. Craig is on hand to Craig’s attempts to last their friendship. Yet this desperation drives him to a life of gang violence and retaliation following their separation. This disturbing shift begs the question of how far people are willing to go to maintain connections that have little to no emotional return.
The film features a memorable scene where Austin’s friends gather for beers and spontaneously break into a rendition of “My Boo” by Ghost Town DJ‘s. This conjunction of action and meaning strikes a profound chord with viewers because it stands in for another act on the emotional spectrum of male friendships. Pando, one of the film’s commentators, noted, “I took that moment of them singing as what it is like being in female friendships, or even like a girls’ bathroom, which guys never get to experience – gassing each other up.” This perspective underscores how emotional support is constructed and gendered very differently for both men and women.
Science has found that men have a hard time making friends that are emotionally nurturing. A culture of loneliness one of the most alarming statistics is that one in seven men reported having no close friends in 2021. Pando remarked on this phenomenon, stating, “It’s so difficult for men because they don’t have positive friendships and friend groups.” Amorratanasuchad further emphasized this point: “You have to really muster up your courage to be like, ‘Yo, I like your outfit’ or ‘How are you actually feeling?’”
Spencer, another participant, shared a really fascinating take on the overall story arc of the film. He stated, “That’s where it started, but I felt like it just evolved into a case study on psychosis.” This particular observation leads to a fruitful discussion on how “Friendship” explores the true nature of male bonding. It tackles the psychological trauma that occurs when those connections are challenged or severed.
Eddy Burback succinctly summarized the film’s essence with his description: “a true horror about how devastating it is to be a dude who can’t hang.” This depiction strikes a chord with audiences who identify with the general fear about male friendships in the modern age.
Conversations around mental health and emotional well-being are changing so quickly. A true “Friendship” is a mirror, reflecting the obstacles that so many men face when they attempt to create and sustain relationships. The film’s exploration of isolation, connection, and the sometimes dire consequences of unfulfilled bonds highlights an urgent conversation about how men can cultivate more supportive friendships.