It's Been a Minute Are you caught in a bad bromance?
Oct 29, 2025
Join Neda Ulaby, NPR arts and entertainment reporter, and Marcus Jones, IndieWire awards editor, as they explore the complexities of male friendships in contemporary films. They discuss how movies reflect men's struggles with loneliness and emotional expression. With insights on rejection and the emotional labor often handled by women, they analyze themes from recent films and how societal expectations shape these portrayals. Tune in for a compelling look at what makes friendships work—or fail—among men.
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Male Loneliness Is Framed As A Crisis
- Popular culture frames a "male loneliness crisis" as unique, even though men and women report similar loneliness rates.
- Media focus on men's solitude shapes narratives about cultural tensions and connection struggles.
Crushing Rejection In 'Friendship'
- In Friendship, Craig bonds with a cool neighbor, then faces painful rejection after fumbling a hangout.
- The movie shows how deep social rejection can devastate a man who sought acceptance.
Group Acceptance Feels Like A Social Test
- The films expose the romanticism and shame tied to finding and failing at male friendship in group settings.
- Failing a social "test" can remove not just one friend but access to an entire male group.