In The Friend, writer and teacher Iris (Naomi Watts) finds her comfortable, solitary New York life thrown into disarray after her closest friend and mentor (Bill Murray) dies suddenly and bequeaths her his beloved 150 lb. Great Dane. The regal yet intractable beast, named Apollo, immediately creates practical problems for Iris, from furniture destruction to eviction notices, as well as more existential ones, his looming presence constantly reminding her of her friend’s problematic choices in both life and death. Yet as Iris finds herself unexpectedly bonding with the animal, she begins to come to terms with her past, her lost friend, and her own creative inner life. [2025, USA, 120 min, Rated: R]
Screening times are 5 pm on Fri (May 23), 3:45 pm on Sat (May 24), 5 pm on Sun (May 25), 1 pm on Wed (May 28) and 7:30 pm on Thu (May 29). Admission is $9 for members, $11.50 for general audiences and $5 for students (student tickets available only at the theater box office). Purchase advance tickets online at rehobothfilm.com or at the Cinema Art Theater box office in Lewes, Wednesday-Sunday from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM.
