The Friend Movie (2024)
What Is “The Friend” About?
The Friend is a movie that’s all about love, sadness, and a big, droopy dog! It follows a writer named Iris who lives in New York City. Her best friend and teacher, Walter, dies suddenly, and he leaves her his giant Great Dane dog named Apollo. At first, Iris isn’t happy—she doesn’t even like dogs! Apollo is huge and messy, breaking things and getting her in trouble with her apartment rules. But soon, Iris and Apollo become buddies. Together, they learn to heal from losing Walter and figure out how to move forward. It’s a sweet story about friendship—even with a furry pal!
Cast of “The Friend” Movie
The movie has some famous actors who make it extra special. Here’s who plays the big roles:
| Actor Name | Character Name | What They Do in the Movie |
|---|---|---|
| Naomi Watts | Iris | The main lady who takes care of Apollo. |
| Bill Murray | Walter | Iris’s friend who leaves her the dog. |
| Sarah Pidgeon | Eliza | Walter’s daughter who’s sad about her dad. |
| Carla Gugino | Beth | Walter’s wife who helps tell his story. |
| Constance Wu | Violet | A friend who pops up to help Iris. |
| Ann Dowd | Joan | Another friend with wise words. |
These stars—and a big dog named Bing who plays Apollo—make the movie fun to watch!
Songs
The music in The Friend helps tell the story. A guy named Justin Craig wrote the background tunes that play when Iris and Apollo are happy or sad. There’s also a cool song called “Everybody’s Talkin’” by Fred Neil that you hear when Iris walks Apollo around the city. It’s an old song from 1966, but it fits perfectly! That’s the main song you’ll notice, and the rest is quiet music to keep the mood just right.
Behind the Scenes: Making of “The Friend”
Making The Friend was a big adventure! Two directors, Scott McGehee and David Siegel, worked together to bring the story to life. They based it on a book by Sigrid Nunez from 2018. Filming started in New York City in February 2024, even in the cold! The dog, Apollo, isn’t real all the time—sometimes they used a pretend dog so the actors could act with him safely. Cool Fact! Naomi Watts had to practice walking with a giant leash to look real with Apollo. It took lots of teamwork to make this doggy tale happen!
Facts About “The Friend”
Here are some awesome things to know about the movie!
| Fact Number | Fun Fact |
|---|---|
| 1 | It first showed at the Telluride Film Festival on August 30, 2024. |
| 2 | The movie hit theaters in New York on March 28, 2025. |
| 3 | Apollo the Great Dane is played by a real dog named Bing! |
| 4 | It’s rated R because of some sad and grown-up stuff, not for little kids. |
Did you know? These facts make The Friend super interesting!
Lessons from “The Friend”
This movie teaches us some big ideas in a simple way. First, it shows that friends—even pets—can help you feel better when you’re sad. Iris learns to love Apollo, and he helps her miss Walter less. Second, it’s okay to feel upset when someone you love is gone, but you can keep going. Third, taking care of someone (or a dog!) can make you stronger. It’s all about finding hope, even when things feel tough.
How Does “The Friend” Compare to Other Movies?
The Friend is a little like other movies about pets and feelings. Let’s see how it stacks up!
| Movie | What’s Similar? | What’s Different? |
|---|---|---|
| Marley & Me (2008) | Both have a dog that changes lives. | Marley is funny; Apollo is serious. |
| Hachi (2009) | A dog helps with sadness. | Hachi waits; Apollo stays close. |
Both movies have dogs and big emotions, but The Friend is quieter and sadder than the others!
IMDb Review
On IMDb, The Friend has a rating of 6.7 out of 10 from lots of votes. People say Naomi Watts is amazing as Iris, and Bing the dog steals the show! Fans love how it’s sweet but not too mushy, even though it’s about losing someone. Some think it’s slow, but others call it “touching.” Watch out—it’s rated R for sad stuff and some grown-up talk, so it’s not super family-friendly for little kids. If you like dogs and heartfelt stories, it’s a winner!
Conclusion
The Friend is a movie that’s all about a lady, a big dog, and finding happiness after sadness. With stars like Naomi Watts and Bill Murray, plus a real Great Dane named Bing, it’s a special story that makes you feel warm inside. It’s not perfect for everyone because it’s a little slow and grown-up, but it’s great for kids who like animals and big feelings. Next time you want a movie with heart, give The Friend a try—it’s one of a kind!