Naomi Watts and Bill Murray Reunite for New York-Based Drama 'The Friend'

The film, based on Sigrid Nunez's National Book Award-winning novel, explores grief, friendship, and healing through an unlikely bond with a Great Dane.

'The Friend,' starring Naomi Watts and Bill Murray, will premiere in New York theaters on March 21 and expand nationwide on April 4, 2025.
The film is adapted from Sigrid Nunez's acclaimed 2018 novel and follows Iris, a writer navigating grief after her mentor Walter's death, while caring for his Great Dane, Apollo.
Directed and co-written by David Siegel and Scott McGehee, the movie has already garnered positive reviews following screenings at Telluride, TIFF, and NYFF in 2024.
Naomi Watts also served as an executive producer on the project, which features a strong ensemble cast including Constance Wu, Ann Dowd, and Carla Gugino.
Bleecker Street, the film's distributor, debuted the trailer during the Westminster Dog Show, highlighting its themes of loss, healing, and the unique relationship between Iris and Apollo.