Tim Robinson Tries to Convince Paul Rudd to Be His Pal in Dark Comedy ‘Friendship’ — Watch Trailer
Tim Robinson isn’t leaving the screen anytime soon. In fact, his eccentric comedy empire is expanding with indie hit feature “Friendship.”
Likened by critics to a feature-length version of Robinson’s beloved “I Think You Should Leave” Netflix series, “Friendship” co-stars Paul Rudd as the target of Robinson’s alter-ego’s affections. Kate Mara also star.
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“Friendship” centers on Craig Waterman (Robinson), a middle class suburbanite who works at a dull office job. His lackluster life is interrupted by the arrival of a new neighbor (Rudd), whom Craig is determined to make his friend. “Friendship” was deemed like “‘I Love You, Man’ for sickos” after it premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival; of course, Rudd also appeared in “I Love You, Man.”
“Friendship” is the directorial debut of Andrew DeYoung, who is also set to helm Robinson’s upcoming HBO comedy series “The Chair Company,” with Adam McKay and Zach Kanin executive producing. Robinson will write, star in, and executive produce the half-hour show that is in a similar vein to both “Friendship” and “I Think You Should Leave,” as the logline reads: “After an embarrassing incident at work, a man named William Ronald Trosper (Robinson) finds himself investigating a far-reaching conspiracy.” DeYoung directed and executive produced the pilot for the series.
Director DeYoung’s “Friendship” was acquired by A24, and will next screen at SXSW 2025. Rudd also has another film at the studio with “Death of a Unicorn,” which will be featured at SXSW 2025 as well alongside “Friendship.”
IndieWire critic David Ehrlich in the IndieWire review that the film “feels very much like a feature-length ‘I Think You Should Leave’ sketch and helps clarify that Robinson’s humor is rooted in confusion more than anything else.”
Ehrlich continued, “Robinson’s obsessive and volatile (but also hyper-earnest) screen persona so perfectly crystallizes a modern form of impotent male rage that it’s become a language unto itself on the internet, where everyone leads with their id. But Andrew DeYoung’s frequently hilarious ‘Friendship’ — which stretches its star’s comic schtick to multiplex dimensions. Like so many of Robinson’s characters, Craig walks through life as though he’s the only person on Earth who missed a planet-wide memo on how to behave. And like so many of Robinson’s characters, we love him for all of his violent weirdness because he’s pathologically incapable of not being himself.”
In addition to both DeYoung projects “Friendship” and “The Chair Company,” Robinson recently reunited with his frequent collaborator and “Detroiters” co-creator Sam Richardson for an eccentric Super Bowl ad. The duo, with Robinson clad in his “I Think You Should Leave” stripes and khakis (no Dan Flashes in sight), witness the death of the furry Totino’s mascot.
“Friendship” premieres this May in theaters. Check out the trailer below.
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