‘Friendship’: Andrew DeYoung On Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, & The Wildest, Cringiest Buddy Comedy Of The Year [The Discourse Podcast]

2025-05-22

Director Andrew DeYoung has always had an eye for awkwardness ("Pen15," "Our Flag Means Death," and "Dave"), but with his debut feature, "Friendship," he goes from TV’s quirky corners straight to the deep end of the cringe pool. You want relatable pain, emotional chaos, and jokes so uncomfortable you laugh, wince, and maybe break out in hives? Look no further. With a cast including Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, Kate Mara, and Jack D...

Director Andrew DeYoung has always had an eye for awkwardness ("Pen15," "Our Flag Means Death," and "Dave"), but with his debut feature, "Friendship," he goes from TV’s quirky corners straight to the deep end of the cringe pool. You want relatable pain, emotional chaos, and jokes so uncomfortable you laugh, wince, and maybe break out in hives? Look no further. With a cast including Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, Kate Mara, and Jack Dylan Grazer, "Friendship" is the rare buddy comedy that leaves you feeling equal parts seen, unsettled, and surprisingly moved.

DeYoung joins Mike DeAngelo on the latest episode of The Discourse. It was clear he’s still riding the high from sharing his first feature with audiences at TIFF. "[The screening] went incredibly - more than I could have ever imagined. I've been in a theater that's laughing like that, and that wasn't necessarily my goal." Deyong said. "Of course, I wanted people to find this funny and interesting and whatnot, but to hear people laugh at that level was really a surprise."

READ MORE: ‘Friendship’ Review: Tim Robinson Is Riotously Hilarious In A24’s Absurdist, Nightmare-Fueled Cringe Comedy

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