Following his success with shows like “Detroiters” and “I Think You Should Leave,” Tim Robinson is transitioning to the big screen with “Friendship.” This film is a perfect example of cringe comedy, featuring Robinson as a man who spirals into absurdity trying to win over his intriguing new neighbor. Beyond the comedy, “Friendship” delves into the intricate dynamics of male relationships, emphasizing how men often struggle to form deep emotional connections. With Robinson exhibiting his usual comedic flair and Paul Rudd playing the unconventional straight man, “Friendship” promises to be a wild journey from beginning to end.

Craig Waterman, played by Robinson, leads a life that’s comfortable yet dull. He has a job in marketing and comes home to his teenage son, Steven, played by Jack Dylan Grazer, and his wife, Tami, portrayed by Kate Mara, who’s not-so-secretly involved with her ex. What Craig desperately needs is a confidant to help him sort through his unspoken personal challenges. Enter Austin Carmichael (Rudd), a charismatic new neighbor and local weatherman, whose approachable personality makes everyone feel instantly connected. Craig is captivated, delighted by the prospect of a male friendship.

However, after a series of awkward social blunders on Craig’s part, Austin withdraws from their developing friendship. Left feeling deserted, Craig becomes obsessed with mending the rift between them, setting the stage for comedic chaos as he employs every tactic he can conceive to restore their bond.

Although there’s plenty of laughs throughout the film, its most interesting aspect is how it approaches the entire concept of male friendship. There are so few models in real life and even in media of what it’s actually supposed to look like. Craig is completely in the weeds — he’s so thrilled to have made a connection with another guy that he, predictably, goes way too far and scares him off. He doesn’t know what the rules are, so he can’t tell when he’s crossed a line. This central idea about men not knowing how to relate to one another on an emotional level is taken to absurdly comedic extremes.

What also makes “Friendship” a lot of fun is that while Tim Robinson is obviously completely over the top in his performance, everyone else in the film matches his energy. It’s not like there’s one unhinged character surrounded by complete normies — everyone’s a little bit off in “Friendship.” Austin and his group of guy friends have their own quirks; Tami and Steven sometimes kiss on the mouth. No one in this film is normal. And that commitment to weirdness is what keeps Craig grounded in his surreal version of life.

That said, “Friendship” does suffer from some third act woes. In movies like this, they often inevitably hit a point where the chaos becomes all-consuming and it loses all contact with reality. Craig goes so hard that eventually, it becomes almost impossible to reel it back in for a satisfying conclusion. Since Robinson’s style is so surreal, “Friendship” bears this better than most other cringe comedies, but it still loses some momentum in the final act.

Still, “Friendship” is a lot of fun, and it proves that what works for Tim Robinson in short sketches is largely transferable to the big screen. Robinson and Paul Rudd work well together, and “Friendship” weaponizes Rudd’s natural charisma so thoroughly that we can completely understand why Craig would become so infatuated with Austin, and how gutting it is when Austin kindly suggests that they take a little break from one another. It sends you right back to middle school, when you just can’t figure out why the person who you seemed to vibe with doesn’t want to be your friend anymore. Is this a madcap spiritual successor to “The Banshees of Inisherin?” Perhaps. 

Even if it doesn’t perfectly stick the landing, “Friendship” is a more-than-worthy subversion of the buddy comedy. And ultimately, your enjoyment of it will largely depend on how on-board you are with Robinson’s schtick. Are you known for referencing the adult ghost tour where you can say whatever the hell you want, or other classic “I Think You Should Leave” bits? If so, you’ll probably like this too. If not, well … you should still give it a chance — broad comedies that get theatrical releases aren’t exactly growing on trees these days, so we should all embrace the rare few that make it to our local cineplex.

“Friendship” hits theaters on May 16.