The first trailer debuted through Bleecker Street for The Friend, which will air as a drama movie directed by David Siegel and Scott McGehee. The cinema event presents Bill Murray and Naomi Watts in a film that launches in limited release at New York City theaters on March 28, followed by its nationwide opening on April 4.
Plot Details and Star-Studded Cast
The Friend draws from the successful book to illustrate the story of Iris (Naomi Watts), whose New York tranquility ends upon receiving a Great Dane named Apollo from her deceased mentor, Walter (Bill Murray).
“The regal yet intractable beast is a constant reminder of Walter and causes various problems—yet as Iris bonds with Apollo, she begins to cope with her past, her lost friend, and her own creative inner life.”
The cast includes Sarah Pidgeon, Carla Gugino, Constance Wu, Noma Dumezweni, Ann Dowd, Felix Solis, Owen Teague, and Bing.
Behind the Scenes: Directors and Producers
McGehee and Siegel directed The Friend and penned its screenplay. Suture (1994) is the first of many films by McGehee and Siegel, who also made The Deep End (2001), Bee Season (2005), Uncertainty (2008), What Maisie Knew (2012), and Montana Story (2021). The directors collaborated with Liza Chasin and Mike Spreter on the film before Naomi Watts and Margaret Chernin arrived as executive producers.
Naomi Watts and Bill Murray’s Recent Works
Naomi Watts took the role of Babe Paley during her recent appearance in Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (2024). Watts starred in The Swans for 2024 while appearing in Infinite Storm and Goodnight Mommy, both released win2022. In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024), Bill Murray returned as Dr. Peter Venkman, and both he and Riff R, directed by Dito Montiel, are scheduled for a February 28, 2025 release. On March 28th, 2025, The Friend will begin its theatrical exhibition in New York City before gaining a nationwide release on April 4th, 2025. The film promises to be a critical must-see because of its intriguing narrative together with established filmmakers and respected performers.
