The Friend is an adaptation of Sigrid Nunez’s bestselling 2018 novel about an unexpected human-animal bond. When writer and teacher Iris’ (Naomi Watts) best friend Walter (Bill Murray), another writer, dies suddenly, she discovers that he has left her his dog Apollo (Bing). He’s not just any dog – he’s a 150 pound Great Dane who does not fit in her tiny rent-controlled New York City apartment. Complicating matters, she’s not allowed to have a pet in the building.
Apollo is grieving his beloved master. Anyone who thinks animals don’t have feelings will be convinced otherwise looking at his sad eyes. Thinking he might be sick, Iris takes him to the vet, who explains that animals can be in mourning just as humans are.
She is not doing any better. She blocked on writing her new book and also has promised to help finish Walter’s last work. She has mixed feelings about this old friend, and that is affecting how she grieves and even what she wants to do about Apollo. But gradually and convincingly, woman and dog begin to trust each other. We realize that there are emotional support therapists for humans but an emotional support dog may be even better.