United States, 119 min. 

Iris (Naomi Watts) is crushed after her beloved mentor, Walter (Bill Murray), unexpectedly dies by suicide. Then a complication in fur arrives: he has bequeathed her his dog, Apollo. The Great Dane is the size of a Buick; Iris is tiny and lives alone. Her cozy, rent-controlled, New York City apartment prohibits animals. Iris, who is in a creative lull, needs to finish a book, and the dog demands all her attention. But the two lost souls miss their best friend, a connection that provides a foundation to build a relationship. The Friend will undoubtedly appeal to dog lovers, but it’s more than an ode to companionship. It’s a heartwarming, forthright drama about accepting loss, dealing with our past, and finding the resolve to move forward.