Ravens Cry Theatre: Film Showing: The Friend

USA 2024, 119 min, Drama
Director: Scott McGehee
Starring: Bill Murray, Naomi Watts, Cloé Xhauflaire

What’s going to happen to the dog? That becomes the central question in this gently paced exploration of friendship and grief, both human and canine. The film stars Naomi Watts in a nuanced performance as Iris, with a supporting role from Bill Murray as Walter.

When Walter dies, he bequeaths the care of his Great Dane, Apollo, to his friend Iris, who tries to resist caring for this very large dog, partly due to her small New York apartment but also due to her need to work from home as a writer. Apollo is disruptive to her life and her work. As the story progresses, both woman and dog create a bond that resists separation and each finds comfort in this new relationship.