The Friend is rated R by the Motion Picture Rating (MP) for language including a sexual reference.
The Friend Movie Review and Ending Explained
Ever wondered how much a dog could change your life? Or how an unexpected friendship could help heal a broken heart? That’s exactly what The Friend explores, bringing a deeply emotional story to life in a way that’s both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
In The Friend, which is based on the true-story, we are introduced to Iris, played by Naomi Watts; she is a reclusive novelist who lives in a small apartment in New York. Her life experiences the first twist when she finds out that her former boss and a one-time lover Walter dies by suicide. He is survived by three ex-wives, the unfinished manuscript of his novel, and a Great Dane named Apollo played by Bing. His final wish? Here, it was Iris’ responsibility to take care of Apollo. The problem? She can’t have any pets where she lives and she has never taken care of a dog of this size before, let alone one that is grieving the loss of a loved one. Soon, what was once a responsibility that seemed nearly unbearable becomes interactions as deep and meaningful as can be found in life.
It is also important to point out that this movie is full of sadness, love, and friendship. The second movie based on the book is more personal and, in terms of language and references to other works, closer to a television program, in comparison to the original work by Sigrid Nunez, directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel. The movie prioritizes this part of Iris’s life rather than showing her as a writer; the main focus is on the emotional stages of grief, the healing process, and a special connection she develops with Apollo. It depicts how individuals find solace in animals when it becomes hard or painful to deal with fellow humans.
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Naomi Watts did a great job to help viewers feel Iris’s pain, confusion, and her changes during the movie. In her, there is the whirlwind of a woman who longs for the past but at the same time struggles to look forward. She seems to know Walter; they are connected on a personal level, and, most interestingly, her current assignment is to prepare a collection of his work for publication. As she corrects, rewrites, and brings together the story of Apollo and the gods from the accounts that Walter’s death peeled apart, she comes to terms with her own life as well.
The dog Apollo is not only a pet but also the character in the play, portrayed by the talented Bing. He is in the film, though his words are few; yet, his eyes speak volumes on the screen. The casting of Bing was well thought out, and this is evident—he lights up the screen, and his acting portrays both sensitivity and humor. Seeing the slow development of feelings between him and Iris is the essence of the story which makes each scene tender and memorable.
It looks great and is beautifully shot by McGehee and Siegel, who use golden dappled light to contrast with Iris’s icy darkness. One of the most inspiring flashbacks is the scene where Walter found the dog, Apollo, and he knew that this animal became his purpose. And in the modern time, we also see how the existence of this statue affected Iris: Apollo. The fact that Apollo will die someday adds depth to the story – death is inevitable and relationships make it worth it.
For lovers of Marley & Me or A Dog’s Purpose, The Friend will make you emotional to the extreme. It is a novel about grief, but it will make you believe in miracles, second chances, and the power of animals when it comes to healing. It is a reminder that the best relationships are not the ones that we choose for ourselves — they are the ones that choose us in difficult times.
The Friend is sweet, sincere, wholesome fare that lacks cynicism which we can seldom witness in present day movies. Rather than being bitter-sweet, McGehee and Siegel remain uplifting in portraying simplicity and power of human and dog affection. As Iris ponders over her predicament of whether to keep Apollo, and fights against her landlord’s rules, the story is not without hope. It poses one of the greatest questions of philosophy: What did we do to deserve dogs? So why did poor Iris deserve Apollo? As with many things in life, there may not always be answers to these questions, but what the film does is celebrate the miracles of these relationships we build with our pets and how much we learn about love, loss, and how to go on.
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Final verdict? The Friend is an emotionally charged and well-acted film that will resonate with anyone who appreciates the cinematic brilliance of the man’s best friend. If you love dogs or if you are in general a fan of good drama, this movie should not be missed. As a word of caution: you could easily come out ready to adopt a Great Dane at the end of the night despite the size of your apartment or your landlord’s rules.
The Friend Parents Guide
Violence & Disturbing Scenes: Grief is one of the main topics represented in the film, which can provoke specific emotional reactions among the audience.A major character named Walter commits suicide but the suicide scene is not depicted. There is also talk about his death and its consequences and effects.
Several flashback scenes depict situation where Walter is having issues with depression, information that could be painful to some.
Touching moments such as Iris’s breakdown dealing with grief and loneliness can discomfort the audience.
Language: The film contains scenes with violence, some of it graphic, and features sexual references or innuendos, as well as several uses of the F word in stressful and melancholic scenes.Some characters mutter sarcastic remarks and engage in verbal attacks, which is an aspect of their psychological issues.
Sexual Content & Nudity: There is suggestion and hints of previous romantic partnerships, specifically, the failed prior relationship of Iris and Walter. This means that while the flashback is rather brief, it is enough to create that feeling of intimacy and suggest hinted passionate connection, but no actual nudity or sexual scenes are depicted.
There are some scenes where the characters get into sexually suggestive conversations but this is not what the movie seems to emphasize.
Substance Use: There is much use of alcohol throughout the film especially as a way of dealing with loss or mourning.Alcoholism: At one time a character is observed to be taking too much alcohol, and going through some type of emotion.
There are such references to the use of narcotics, but there are no scenes that directly illustrate the use of these substances.
Directors: Scott McGehee, David Siegel
Writers: Scott McGehee, David Siegel, and Sigrid Nunez
Starring: Bill Murray, Naomi Watts, and Cloé Xhauflaire
Release Date: 28 March, 2025