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Paul Rudd & Tim Robinson’s ‘Friendship’ Blows Up With 92% Critics Score—Funniest Movie of 2024?

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Stands out by offering unique and intellectually stimulating content. This creative powerhouse combines various film genres such as comedy, romance, suspense, and even the chilling realm of horror, featuring top-tier acting talent.

I’ve recently supported the release of a hilarious comedy titled “Friendship.” In this movie, I had the pleasure of watching Tim Robinson shine as Craig, whose peaceful life is turned upside down by his new neighbor, Austin, played by none other than Paul Rudd. This heartwarming film made its grand entrance in select theaters on May 9th and has received a fantastic 92% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. I highly recommend giving it a watch!

The movie titled “Friendship” was first shown to the public on September 8, 2024, during the Toronto International Film Festival. Subsequently, A24 secured the rights for U.S. distribution after its initial screening, and it had a limited release on May 9, with a broader launch planned for May 23.

The early critical response to “Friendship” has been exceptionally positive, with a thrilling 92% rating out of 61 reviews so far. However, as more reviews pour in, the score may change slightly. At present, since “Friendship” has only recently debuted in cinemas, there aren’t enough audience reviews to calculate a score on the Popcornmeter.

1. Ross Bonaime stated that ‘Friendship’ has the potential to become a future comedy classic, commending Tim Robinson’s performance and comedic timing, along with Rudd.

2. Nick Schager noted that ‘Friendship’ is filled with familiar circumstances, stunts, and screams that fans of Rudd’s small-screen work will recognize as more of the same, labeling the A24 comedy as “the funniest movie of the year.”

According to Laura Clifford, the film masterfully explores ‘uncomfortable humor in male camaraderie,’ with her adding that the movie can sometimes be ‘a bit all over the place,’ but when it strikes the right chord, it’s simply ‘magnificent.’ Joey Magidson commends the movie for showcasing Tim Robinson and his unique brand of hilarity at full length, praising the comedy as ‘one of the funniest films this year, while also being incredibly strange.’

In contrast to Friendship, this film explores a more mature take on camaraderie. Whereas the Paul Rudd-Jason Segal comedy found success, Craig and Austin’s friendship in this A24 comedy, directed by Andrew DeYoung in his debut, poses a risk to their lives rather than providing laughter. The movie also features Kate Mara, Jack Dylan Grazer, Josh Segarra, and Billy Bryk.

In the midst of unfavorable critiques, David Fear suggests that ‘Friendship’ could have been more effective as a quick sketch, similar to Robinson’s style. The review additionally underscores how the humor, at its peak, hits the mark with the characteristic vein of comedy – it feels almost like an extended lost sketch from ‘I Think You Should Leave’, turned into a full-length feature. Similarly, Owen Gleiberman points out that Robinson’s blend of middle-class psychological surrealism is fitting for brief sketch-comedy portions. However, when stretched over a feature-length movie, a character like Craig becomes hard to comprehend.

Paul Rudd’s Previous A24 Film Missed the Mark

Prior to the limited debut of “Friendship”, Paul Rudd was involved in another A24 production titled “Death of a Unicorn”. This project too had its world premiere at a festival, specifically the South by Southwest Festival this year. The fantasy comedy horror was then released in a limited run on March 28th.

According to critics, the movie earned a 53% approval rating, resulting in a “rotten” label. Contrarily, the audience appreciated it more, giving it a score of 78%. Regrettably, this didn’t make the film a box office success. This fantasy horror production, featuring Jenna Ortega, failed to meet expectations despite having a budget of $15 million. In the end, its global earnings in theaters were limited to just $15.7 million.

It appears that friendship takes an unusual course, receiving rave feedback. The film has been debuted in select cinemas and will expand its release to nationwide theaters on May 23rd.

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2025-05-09 20:21

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