In The Friend, Naomi Watts delivers a poignant performance as Iris, a solitary New York writer whose life is upended by the sudden death of her best friend and mentor, Walter (Bill Murray). In an unexpected twist, Iris inherits Walter’s 150-pound Great Dane, Apollo, despite her small, pet-prohibited apartment and preference for cats. As Iris navigates the challenges of caring for the grieving and unruly dog, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, confronting her own grief and the complexities of her past. Directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, and based on Sigrid Nunez’s acclaimed novel, The Friend is a heartfelt exploration of loss, healing, and the unexpected bonds that can lead us back to ourselves.