The Critic-Audience Divide
If you look at the numbers, there’s a massive gap between what the pros think and how the general public feels about Adult Best Friends. Critics handed it a high 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, likely charmed by the raw, unpolished debut energy and the fact that it doesn't try to be a polished studio rom-com. Meanwhile, the IMDb score sits at a much colder 5.2.
That disconnect usually happens for one reason: likability. This isn't a movie where you're necessarily rooting for the leads to succeed. It’s a movie where you’re watching two people who have outgrown their shared history struggle to admit it. Critics often find that kind of friction "honest" or "refreshing," while casual viewers often find it "annoying" or "grating." If you need your protagonists to be people you’d actually want to grab a drink with, you might struggle here.
Real-Life Chemistry
The secret sauce that keeps this from being a total slog is the relationship between Delaney Buffett and Katie Corwin. Because they co-wrote the script and are friends in actual life, the dialogue has a specific, rapid-fire cadence that’s hard to fake. They talk over each other, use shorthand that isn't explained to the audience, and push each other’s buttons in that way only people who have known you since the third grade can.
It feels less like a scripted movie and more like you’re eavesdropping on a private, increasingly uncomfortable weekend. For some, that’s the appeal—it’s a fly-on-the-wall look at a codependent meltdown. For others, the "static shots" and "neurotic" character beats mentioned by reviewers make the pacing feel slower than the runtime suggests.
The "Hate-Watch" Calculus
This is a low-stakes watch in terms of plot—there are no grand gestures or high-concept twists. The tension comes entirely from the social awkwardness of Katie trying to "break up" with her best friend’s lifestyle. It’s a movie for people who appreciate the cringe of a poorly timed joke or the silence after someone says something way too personal in front of a stranger.
If you’re a parent looking for a "girls' trip" movie in the vein of high-energy blockbusters, this isn't it. This is a quiet, sometimes biting look at the transition from your twenties to your thirties. It’s about the realization that "forever friends" sometimes only last as long as your shared lack of responsibilities.
When to Hit Play
Watch this when you’re in the mood for something that feels small and specific. It’s an ideal pick for a night when you want to see adults behaving badly without the stakes of a thriller or the sugary coating of a standard comedy. Just be prepared: the characters are designed to get under your skin. If you find yourself wanting to yell at the screen for Delaney to "get a grip," the movie is actually doing its job. It’s a study in stagnation, and while that doesn't always make for a "fun" Friday night, it makes for a very recognizable one.
