Episode 94: Friendship

🎙️ Mindframes Episode 94: Friendship (2025)

Theme: Male friendship, awkwardness, modern masculinity, repression
Hosts: Dave Canfield & Michael Cockerill

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🎬 Cast & Crew

Director: Andrew DeYoung
Writer: Andrew DeYoung
Cinematographer: Andy Rydzewski
Executive Producer: Paul Rudd

Cast:

• Tim Robinson as Craig Waterman – a painfully awkward suburban dad with delusions of friendship.

• Paul Rudd as Austin – a charming local weatherman with a hidden insecurities.

• Kate Mara as Craig’s wife – emotionally exhausted, but nuanced and grounded.

• Austin’s Bro Squad – unnamed ensemble portraying the elusive male friendship circle.

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In this episode of Mindframes, Dave and Michael unpack Friendship (2025), a darkly comedic exploration of male loneliness, emotional repression, and the often-toxic rituals of adult male bonding. They praise the directorial debut of Andrew DeYoung and standout performances by Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd, noting how the film blends cringe humor with surprising visual and thematic depth. Drawing comparisons to The Master and The Holdovers, the hosts explore how Friendship critiques both the performative coolness of modern masculinity and the isolation it breeds. With humor and insight, they reflect on the film’s sobering message: real friendship is hard—and the world isn’t making it any easier.

🕒 Timestamps & Topics

00:00 – Intro
Dave and Michael kick off the show with their signature Mindframes intro and reveal this episode’s focus: Friendship (2025), a genre-bending dark comedy.

00:51 – Film Overview
Michael introduces the premise: a painfully awkward suburban dad becomes obsessed with his neighbor in what’s been described as a male Fatal Attraction.

02:28 – Release Status
They note it’s in wide theatrical release and encourage people to see it soon.

03:29 – Director & Crew Background
Andrew DeYoung's TV roots and lack of prior film experience are discussed, along with Andy Rydzewski’s commercial and TV cinematography background.

07:46 – Visual Style & Influences
Muted colors, natural lighting, and inspiration from The Master and other dramas inform the film’s look. Michael mentions how shots are borrowed from Paul Thomas Anderson and how that affects tone.

12:39 – Tone: Comedy vs. Drama
Dave and Michael praise the film's ability to mix dark comedy with character-driven drama, comparing it to The Holdovers and Dinner for Schmucks.

14:15 – Performances: Paul Rudd & Tim Robinson
Both leads are praised for nuanced, funny, and sometimes heartbreaking performances. Tim reins in his trademark awkwardness to great effect.

16:42 – Casting & Type Discussion
They debate whether Paul Rudd is playing against type and explore the contrast between his character here and in Death of a Unicorn.