The Friend

The Friend is a 2025 drama film that follows Iris, a New York writer played by Naomi Watts, who inherits a massive Great Dane named Apollo after the sudden suicide of her charismatic yet flawed best friend, Walter (Bill Murray). Released on January 10, 2025, by Vertical Entertainment in the U.S., the movie—adapted from Sigrid Nunez’s 2018 National Book Award-winning novel—explores Iris’s struggle to manage Walter’s chaotic legacy, including three ex-wives and an unfinished literary estate, while hiding Apollo in her no-pets Manhattan apartment.

Directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, this poignant story blends dark humor with a meditation on grief, friendship, and the unexpected bond between Iris and a dog she never wanted.

What Is “The Friend” About?

“The Friend” dives into Iris’s life after Walter, a brilliant author and serial womanizer, takes his own life. Their decades-long friendship—complex, affectionate, and tinged with tension over his affairs with students—leaves Iris reeling when he dies. Tasked with sorting out his estate, she’s blindsided by a bigger burden: Apollo, Walter’s grieving Great Dane, whom his third wife, Barbara (Noma Dumezweni), insists Iris take. Living in a cramped, rent-controlled apartment where dogs are banned, Iris faces eviction if caught. Initially reluctant—she’s a cat person, not equipped for a 180-pound “horse”—Iris grows to see Apollo as a mirror of her own loss, forging a bond that helps her process Walter’s death and confront her own solitude.

Key Details of “The Friend”

Plot Breakdown

• Walter’s Death: The film opens with Iris narrating her bond with Walter, a charming yet unreliable mentor, whose suicide sets the story in motion.
• Apollo’s Arrival: Barbara dumps Apollo on Iris, who struggles to hide him from her strict landlord (Felix Solis) while dodging complaints from neighbors like Marjorie (Ann Dowd).
• Legacy and Loss: Iris works with Walter’s daughter, Val (Sarah Pidgeon), on a book of his letters, clashing with ex-wives Elaine (Carla Gugino) and Tuesday (Constance Wu) over his memory. Meanwhile, Apollo’s mournful presence—hogging her bed, clutching Walter’s shirt—grounds her grief.
• Resolution: Through quiet moments with Apollo, Iris finds solace, choosing to keep him despite the risks, ending with a bittersweet acceptance of life’s impermanence.

Cast and Production

• Directors: Scott McGehee and David Siegel (What Maisie Knew), adapting Nunez’s novel with a light, New York-centric touch.
• Cast: Naomi Watts (Iris), Bill Murray (Walter), Bing (Apollo), with Constance Wu, Carla Gugino, and Ann Dowd.
• Release: Premiered at Telluride 2024, hit U.S. theaters January 10, 2025; budget and box office TBD as of March 23, 2025.

Reception

Critics laud its 92% Rotten Tomatoes score (web ID: 0), calling it “witty, wise, and warm” (web ID: 22). X posts rave about Bing’s “soulful eyes” (post ID: 19) and Watts’s “subtle vulnerability” (web ID: 13), though some note a slow pace.

Why “The Friend” Stands Out

“The Friend” isn’t just a “dog movie”—it’s a layered look at mourning and connection. Walter’s charm and flaws (think womanizing professor meets literary star) contrast with Iris’s grounded pragmatism, while Apollo embodies their shared loss. The film sidesteps schmaltz, using humor—like Iris dragging Apollo through Manhattan crowds—to lighten its heavy themes. Watts shines as a woman teetering on emotional collapse, matched by Bing’s uncanny canine performance, making their bond the heart of the story. It’s a love letter to friendship, human and animal alike, set against a vivid NYC backdrop.

How to Watch “The Friend” in 2025

As of March 23, 2025, “The Friend” is in theaters via Vertical Entertainment. Check Fandango for showtimes. Streaming isn’t confirmed, but Vertical titles often hit platforms like Hulu or VOD within 60-90 days—expect late March or April availability.