Friendship (2024)
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2025-09 to 2026-08
A socially awkward marketing executive finds himself spiraling into an intense and increasingly volatile obsession with his new neighbor.
The story
Craig Waterman, a socially awkward marketing executive in Clovis, New Mexico, is struggling with an emotionally distant relationship with his wife, Tami, who is recovering from cancer. When a new neighbor, Austin, a quirky local meteorologist, moves in, the two men strike up an unexpected and intense friendship. They bond over shared frustrations and explore the city's underground tunnels. However, as their bond deepens, Craig begins to develop an intense, escalating infatuation with Austin, leading to a series of increasingly desperate actions as he tries to maintain their connection while his own life begins to unravel.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Craig Waterman, a marketing executive in Clovis, New Mexico, is preparing to sell his family home with his wife, Tami. Tami, recovering from cancer, has sought solace in a relationship with an ex-boyfriend, Devon. When their new neighbor, Austin, a quirky meteorologist, introduces himself, Craig and Austin form an immediate, intense bond. They explore underground tunnels and share personal secrets. Craig becomes increasingly infatuated with Austin, even becoming a better husband and worker initially. However, the dynamic sours when Craig, fueled by insecurity, behaves poorly at a social gathering, causing Austin to distance himself. Craig's obsession grows; he stalks Austin, causes a public scene at his workplace, and breaks into his home. During a desperate attempt to recreate their intimacy, Craig causes Tami to go missing in the tunnels. Both men are arrested, and Craig's career collapses. Later, while working as a parking officer, Craig spots Austin at a party. In a fit of jealousy, Craig confronts the group at gunpoint. During a struggle where Austin's hairpiece falls off, Craig threatens the others to keep the secret. The film ends with Craig being arrested, imagining a version of events where their initial meeting remained positive as he smiles at Austin from the back of a patrol car.
- First release year
- 2024
- Runtime (minutes)
- 101
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Andrew DeYoung
- Writers
- Andrew DeYoung · writer
- Cast and characters
- Tim Robinson · Craig; Kate Mara · Tami; Jack Dylan Grazer; Paul Rudd · Austin
- Genres
- black comedy
- Themes
- obsession; social anxiety; loneliness
- Tone and mood
- uneasy; deadpan
- Setting
- Clovis, New Mexico
- Premise and plot tags
- black comedy; midlife crisis
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews and was noted for its uneasy tone and the contrast between cringe comedy and high-arthouse aesthetics.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 72 · scale: 100 · review count: 43
- Awards and nominations
- People's Choice Award: Midnight Madness · second runner-up · 2024 · nomination
- Production trivia
- The character of Craig was written specifically for Tim Robinson.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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