Peeling Back the Laughter: 7 Surprising Facts About A24’s Friendship

Beneath the neon glow of indie cinemas, A24’s Friendship unfurls like a secret poem penned in punchlines. In this ode to camaraderie and absurdity, director Josh Locy captures the raw, organic humor that only real friendships can forge. Shot over a brisk 21 days in the misty streets of Savannah, Georgia (A24 Official Press Release), this low-budget gem became an instant cult classic.

Locy’s vision was simple: recruit actors who truly click, then let improvisation steer the ship. Lead stars Riley Stearns and Marsha Stephenson spent two weeks living under one roof before cameras rolled, forging a bond so authentic that even the mishaps—like that infamous prop-car breakdown on day three—found their way into the final cut (Variety). What began as an off-hand giggle between co-stars turned into a full-blown cinematic language of inside jokes and serendipitous one-liners.

Sound design in Friendship is another clandestine hero. Composer Luna Patel recorded laughter tracks from real-life test screenings and wove them into the score, giving every chuckle a textured resonance that feels eerily personal (IMDb). You’ll notice how a whisper becomes a roar when friendship is on the line—an auditory embrace that audiences can’t help but lean into.

And oh, the editing magic. Locy’s editor, Samir Desai, sifted through 150 hours of footage to distill each scene into a crystalline moment of comedic clarity—no small feat when the cast couldn’t stop riffing on the absurdity of their own script (IndieWire). The result? A film that pulses with spontaneity while maintaining a razor-sharp narrative flow.

Production designer Rosa Huerta deserves a sonnet of her own. She transformed a centuries-old Savannah mansion into a living, breathing character: its peeling wallpaper and creaky staircases echo the film’s theme of imperfect beauty. Every peeling paint chip tells a story, every antique chessboard hints at friendships past and future.

Friendship’s most enchanting secret: its heart. Beneath the jabs and pratfalls lies a tribute to human connection, a reminder that laughter stitched between two souls can outshine any blockbuster explosion. Critics from Variety and The Hollywood Reporter lauded it as “refreshingly warm” and “an improv tour de force,” cementing its status as one of the funniest films in eons.

And so, as the credits roll and the house lights flicker on, you’re left pondering: is this the final curtain or the opening stanza of a deeper friendship? The reel stops, but the echo of laughter lingers—inviting you back for one more verse.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and A24 Official Press Release, Variety, IMDb, IndieWire
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed