The Friend

Grief is a central part of life, and the way we deal with it comes in all shapes and sizes. Most people associate grief with substance abuse, but that’s not the only path one can take. The Friend explores grief in a way that shows how help can come in the most unexpected forms. Personally, I think we need stories like this because they help us see a light—a way to get through the worst of times when we feel like we can’t.

Iris (Naomi Watts) is a writer who has just lost one of her closest friends and mentors, Walter (Bill Murray). Losing a friend is always tough, but Walter’s passing leaves a deep void in Iris’s life, and all she can think about is how difficult it will be without him. However, Walter had one last request: for Iris to take care of his Great Dane, Apollo. Everyone knows the story of how Walter found this dog, but taking him in seems impossible for Iris, as her building doesn’t allow pets. Despite this, she brings Apollo home, only to find that he spends his days lying on her bed and mourning his owner. Determined to find him a new home, Iris initially resists forming a bond with the dog. But as time passes, she realizes that Apollo is helping her cope with Walter’s death—just as she is helping Apollo grieve the loss of his master. The universe works in mysterious ways, always sending us exactly what we need, and for Iris, that comes in the form of a giant dog named Apollo.

Written by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, and based on the book by Sigrid Nunez, The Friend delivers a deep and insightful story with plenty of heartwarming and humorous moments. Adapting a novel for the screen can be challenging, but McGehee and Siegel navigate it skillfully, remaining faithful to the source material. Their delicate approach to themes of friendship, loss, and healing allows the story to unfold naturally, making for a poignant and emotionally resonant film.

The Friend offers a touching narrative that could melt even the coldest hearts. For dog lovers, it will hit especially hard, as it deeply understands the emotional connection between humans and their pets. The relationship between Iris and Apollo (played by a dog named Bing) is the heart of the film, and it will surely evoke plenty of emotions. Watts, as always, delivers a masterful performance, portraying grief and depression with nuance and authenticity. And Bing’s performance? Possibly one of the best by a dog on screen—his soulful eyes convey a depth of emotion that’s impossible to ignore.

We all know that nothing lasts forever and that, eventually, we lose the people and things we love. But The Friend reminds us that the connections we make define who we are and how we live. At its core, the film carries a simple yet powerful message: the beauty of selfless love, something the world could use a little more of.