The Stream: Tim Robinson is an acquired taste.

The Big Screen: An excellent cast that understood the assignment.

The Final Bill: A simple premise filled out with cringe comedy at its best.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Andrew DeYoung
Writers: Andrew DeYoung
Stars: Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, Kate Mara, Jack Dylan Grazer
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R for language and some drug content
Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes
Production Companies: A24, Fifth Season, BoulderLight Pictures
Platform: In theaters May 23, 2025
Notable Trailers: Eddington, Materialists

What’s up, Streamers! While theaters are inundated with big name sequels and wannabe blockbusters, you may be looking for some more original counterprogramming. As an alternative, here’s the quirkiest comedy in theaters right now, Friendship. In this dark comedy, Tim Robinson stars as Craig Waterman, a socially awkward marketing executive in the town of Clovis, who befriends a new neighbor, Austin, a local meteorologist. Craig and Austin navigate the weird world of making friends as adult men, but things take some unexpected turns. Impromptu sing-alongs and misguided adventure hijinks ensue.

Friendship may have been written and directed by Andrew DeYoung, but it certainly has the cringey comedic sensibility of Tim Robinson at heart. Robinson can be off-putting to some, but if you are on his wavelength, you should quite enjoy this movie. Robinson is front and center with weird asides and uncomfortable moments that will make you both laugh out loud and squirm in your seat. What’s also good about this movie is that the cast is populated with people perfectly attuned to the tone that Robinson sets. Paul Rudd, Kate Mara, and Jack Dylan Grazer play off of Robinson so well and make this weird movie feel very grounded in reality. As the kids say, they understood the assignment.

Now, if you know you don’t like cringe comedy or Tim Robinson, in particular, you will likely want to avoid Friendship. However, if cringe comedy is your thing, you should be satisfied with this movie.

Ultimately, Friendship is an offbeat comedy that is good counterprogramming to the bombastic, typical summer fare. Tim Robinson leans into his cringey persona, and the rest of the cast is game to play along. Even though it is not a laugh riot, there are clever jokes and situations throughout that will keep you engaged and entertained. Grab a bowl of popcorn for a matinee at the theater.