The Friend
Films Philos | Release Date: April 8, 2005 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
63
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews
Positive:
4
Mixed:
3
Negative:
0

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
88
New York PostKyle Smith
Akhavan plays each change brilliantly in a film that is so tightly controlled that the mere glimpse of a new beard or a prayer mat being unrolled becomes a moment of horror. Read full review
70
VarietyDeborah Young
After a tedious start building up the boys' lives and friendship, feature bow by Elmar Fischer becomes deeply engrossing in its second half, as the viewer learns of the hero's anguish and doubts. Read full review
70
Village VoiceDavid Blaylock
Shot on DV, the film looks awful, but this homemade quality fosters an authenticity that allows for startling suspense as Yunes's secret life comes to light. Read full review
63
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
Actors do an excellent job portraying young people struggling with an almost manic paranoia. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderReece Pendleton
The film's elliptical structure seems little more than a device to compensate for the thin dramatic material, but it's saved by a fine ensemble cast and Akhavan's convincing transformation from a naive romantic to a disturbing reactionary. Read full review
60
The New York TimesLawrence Van Gelder
Some may be offended by this film's use of Sept. 11 as a plot device, but ultimately The Friend is less concerned with the politics of terror than with its psychology. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
If his ambitious first feature isn't entirely successful, it nevertheless poses genuinely provocative questions and opens a window into the way the 9/11 disaster looks from outside the U.S. Read full review
More From This Movie

63 Critic Reviews

tbd User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL