Overview

• Directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, 'The Friend' adapts Sigrid Nunez’s National Book Award-winning novel with emotional authenticity and nuanced storytelling.
• Naomi Watts delivers a standout performance as Iris, a solitary writer grappling with grief, a stalled career, and the challenges of caring for a Great Dane in a small Manhattan apartment.
• Bill Murray portrays Walter, a celebrated yet flawed author whose death by suicide leaves behind a complex legacy, including his dog Apollo, inherited by Iris.
• The film has been praised for its exploration of grief and human-animal companionship, while avoiding typical dog movie clichés and focusing on emotional depth.
• Set against the backdrop of New York City, the film captures the city’s geography and emotional resonance, further enriching its character-driven narrative.