In the trailer for "The Friend," the heartwarming character of the emotional support animal arrives in an unexpectedly grand form. Based on Sigrid Nunez's novel, "The Friend" chronicles the journey of Iris (played by Naomi Watts), a writer and educator, who is deeply mourning the passing of her beloved friend and mentor, Walter (portrayed by Bill Murray). To her surprise, she discovers that Walter has bequeathed her his Great Dane, Apollo, as a final gesture of companionship.
"What will become of the dog?" Murray's Walter muses in the preview. Upon welcoming Apollo into her life, Watts' Iris finds herself grappling with the challenges of cohabitating with her new, towering companion in bustling New York City. Apollo's antics soon unfold, from wreaking havoc in her apartment to claiming her bed and dragging her through the urban landscape with his sheer size and strength. Throughout this adjustment period, Iris continues to navigate the profound loss of her cherished friend.
Directed by Scott McGhee and David Siegel, who also adapted the book for the screen, "The Friend" boasts a stellar cast including Constance Wu, Carla Gugino, and Ann Dowd alongside Watts and Murray. The film made its debut at the Telluride Film Festival to an array of favorable reviews, including one from The Hollywood Reporter that hailed it as, "A fresh, unsentimental, yet deeply affecting tale."
"The Friend" will make its theatrical premiere in New York on March 28th before embarking on a wider release on April 4th, promising audiences an intimate and impactful cinematic experience.
