Tim Robinson (left) and Paul Rudd (right) in “Friendship.” (Photo by Spencer Pazer, courtesy of A24)

Making new friends isn’t always the easiest thing. Whether starting at a new school or college, navigating a different workplace, or just looking to meet other people, putting yourself out there means being open and vulnerable. But what happens when you take it a bit too far? “Friendship” is the story of two middle-aged men whose relationship devolves, in a film that feels like a drama, nightmare, and comedy all at once.

Craig (a memorable Tim Robinson) is married to Tami (Kate Mara), who is in remission from cancer while also falling out of love with Craig. He’s also a father to Steven (Jack Dylan Grazer) who, while he kisses his mom on the lips, has a detached relationship with his dad.

Painfully socially unaware and casually self-centered, Craig has no understanding of the personal lines he shouldn’t cross. He loves dad rock and, after finishing a day of work at the office, goes for long walks along the tunnels of the neighborhood sewer. The latter, of course, is due to his gravitational pull to the cool and charming Austin (Paul Rudd, because who doesn’t want to be friends with him?), his new neighbor and the local weatherman. Craig just wants to be his pal and will do whatever it takes. 

The delightfully chaotic mix of Craig’s personality as a devout people-pleaser and as someone who has absolutely no impulse control drives the plot of the film. Part of the joy of watching “Friendship” (if you can look past its dark undertones) is that, in his endeavor to make new friends, Craig does everything we wish we could do but that we know is wrong, creating a dreamlike quality. 

Craig is really the only fleshed-out character in a plot that jumps from one comedic setup to the next, although this isn’t necessarily a negative aspect. The film works well without fully developing its characters because it emulates an individual’s one-sided perception of a friendship; making friends is a deeply personal experience, and sometimes, we get so involved with what our friend crushes think of us that we forget friendships work both ways. This film is a lesson in what not to do, whether you’re in Craig’s position or in Austin’s.

While Craig is reminiscent of the slightly insufferable edge that many classic Adam Sandler characters share, we can’t help but to feel empathetic towards him because we’ve all more or less shared Craig’s experience (and if you haven’t, consider yourself lucky). What stood out to me is that “Friendship” had me relating perhaps a little too deeply to a middle-aged white dad. Specifically, the kind that only wears one brand of clothing because it’s the only brand that fits him right, the kind that raised a son who kisses his mom on the lips, the kind who is pathetically lonely but who we can relate to nonetheless — not because of his off-putting personality, but because the heartache of a friend breakup is universal, especially when Austin’s charisma and mystery fades away.

Director Andrew DeYoung explained at the film’s premiere at SXSW Film & TV Festival in March (where the film received rave reviews from audiences) that the goal of the movie was to make it a drama –– the comedy that followed was just a welcome addition.

While enjoyable and funny, “Friendship” is sprinkled with a distinct feeling of melancholy that is unique to so many of A24’s films. It’s the kind of sadness that, as a viewer, you have to laugh at because if you take it too seriously, it becomes depressing –– really fast. It’s a movie you’ll definitely want to see in theaters because of the audience reactions.

For someone who hates “how comedy looks and sounds like,” DeYoung crafted a uniquely humorous film that captures a universal experience candidly, unlike any other recent film in the genre.

“Friendship” is currently in theaters nationwide.