Watching a character with severe social anxiety can be a source for outstanding comedy – unless, of course, you are the one with anxiety. Then it can be absolutely horrifying, and toe-curlingly uncomfortable to watch. Friendship – the directorial debut of Andrew DeYoung – treads a deeply unsteady line between both reactions. At times it is the funniest feature film I have seen in ages. In other moments, regularly peppered throughout, it is so awkward that it becomes cringe-worthy. Despite this grating combination, which veers back and forth for a queasy hour and forty minutes, it is never less than captivating. You simply cannot look away.

Tim Robinson plays Craig, the awkward one. He works in marketing, but has no real friends, a failing marriage to his wife Tami (Kate Mara), and cannot find common ground with his teenage son Steven (Jack Dylan Grazer). When pressured by Tami, Craig unwillingly introduces himself to new neighbour Austin (Paul Rudd), a charismatic and spontaneous weather presenter who briefly gives him the friend he always wanted. The friendship does not last: Craig disgraces himself at a social gathering, and subsequently grows obsessed with winning Austin’s affections back.

Mel Brooks famously said ‘Tragedy is when I stub my toe. Comedy is when you fall into an open manhole and die.’ There is a palpable cruelty to Friendship, stemming from the film’s unwavering ability to showcase bad or embarrassing behaviour in such a stark and unforgiving manner. Craig is a human disaster area: awkward, impulsive, and emotional in all of the wrong fashions and directions. He is genuinely difficult to watch at times, and Tim Robinson’s fearless performance doesn’t really give the audience much room for sympathy. It forms a very difficult film in many respects. We may laugh at its jokes, but then immediately snap back to asking if we are bad people for laughing. It boasts a hugely distinctive tone and style, which is most welcome, but it leads me to wonder how precisely to recommend it. ‘A really funny comedy that will make you feel bad about yourself’ hardly sounds enthusiastic. In part the film reminds me of Ben Stiller’s underrated comedy The Cable Guy (1996), but that film still invited some sympathy via Matthew Broderick’s hapless protagonist. That is simply not the case here.

Kate Mara is particularly strong as Craig’s semi-distant wife Tami. Unsatisfied with their marriage, she has openly taken up a fresh relationship with an ex-lover. At the same time she seems uncomfortably close to her and Craig’s son Steven. As Steven, Jack Dylan Grazer is solid and dependable, but really does look too old be continue playing these kinds of teenage roles. He was 20 when he filmed this, but I swear he looks a solid five years older.

Paul Rudd gives a typically showy performance as Austin. He has a vibrant charisma on screen, and can hit a punchline with astounding precision, and this helps boost what might otherwise have been a somewhat ordinary character. Supporting performances are decent across the board, including turns by Josh Segarra, Billy Bryk, and Jon Glaser.

It is hard to take too much insight from Friendship about male intimacy or bonding. Craig is so grotesque a character that he is difficult to identify with his self-generated predicaments. Instead the film is just ridiculously funny, and staggeringly uncomfortable. It is great stuff – assuming you are in the market for the feel-bad comedy of the year.

Friendship opens in Australian cinemas tomorrow, 17 July 2025.