Friendships change as we grow older—a truth that filmmakers Delaney Buffett and Katie Corwin explore with humor, heart, and authenticity in their debut feature, Adult Best Friends. Set against the backdrop of life’s milestones and shifting priorities, the film captures the complexities of maintaining close friendships into adulthood. With a stellar cast, sharp writing, and a personal touch from the co-creators’ own 23-year bond, Adult Best Friends is a poignant and hilarious reminder to cherish the people who know us best. You can catch this heartfelt comedy now on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.
The idea for Adult Best Friends was sparked by a deeply personal moment. When Katie got married, Delaney gave a wedding speech about the bittersweet feeling of “passing the torch” to her husband. This acknowledgment of friendship’s evolving role resonated deeply. “A friend told me it was rare to talk about how it feels when your best friend gets married,” Delaney recalls. That conversation planted the seed for the film.
For Katie, it wasn’t just one moment, but the culmination of their decades-long friendship that inspired her to tell this story. “Best friendships are interesting because, unlike romantic or familial relationships, they’re not ‘the norm’ as you get older. You have to fight for them,” she says. This desire to highlight the enduring power of friendship became the emotional core of the film.
As co-writers and collaborators, Delaney and Katie balanced each other’s strengths seamlessly. Delaney, with her eye for structure and story, grounded the narrative, while Katie’s quick wit and gift for comedy infused the script with humor. “Katie is a very talented joke writer—unmatched, in my opinion,” Delaney shares. Katie credits Delaney for keeping the tone and story intentional, a skill honed through her work in documentary filmmaking.
Their background in nonfiction storytelling brought a sense of spontaneity to the production. “In documentaries, you never know what will happen next, so you can’t help but be present,” Katie explains. This approach allowed the duo to embrace natural moments on set, blending scripted dialogue with authentic reactions.
At its heart, Adult Best Friends is about the effort required to maintain deep friendships as life becomes more complex. Delaney hopes audiences walk away reminded of the vital role friendships play in adulthood. “They aren’t as easy to maintain, but they are no less necessary,” she emphasizes. Katie echoes this sentiment, hoping viewers are inspired to reconnect with their own friends. “If you’re committed to making a friendship work, it will work. You just have to make the effort.”
The film expertly balances comedy with emotional depth, a challenge both creators embraced. One particularly memorable scene intertwined both comedic and emotional climaxes, requiring careful attention to preserve both elements. “Comedy sets are fun and free-flowing, but you have to create a safe space for vulnerable moments,” Delaney explains. For Katie, navigating the emotional whiplash between lighthearted and deep scenes required intentional reflection and self-care.
The cast of Adult Best Friends includes standout performances from Zachary Quinto, Mason Gooding, and Cazzie David, each of whom brought their unique comedic styles to the film. Zachary Quinto, known for his dramatic roles, embraced the comedic energy with ease. “He quickly became one of my favorite parts of the movie,” Katie shares. Delaney adds that Quinto’s theater background allowed him to improvise in a way that was both hilarious and true to the story’s heart.
Bringing their real-life friendship to the screen was both rewarding and vulnerable. “The story is fictional, but the emotional beats are real,” Delaney reflects. For Katie, the process of verbalizing her gratitude for their friendship was a rare gift. “Most people don’t get the chance to spotlight how thankful they are for the people in their lives,” she says.
Both filmmakers drew inspiration from beloved films that balance humor and heart. Delaney cites The Birdcage as a favorite for its seamless blend of comedy and emotion, while Katie, ever the sentimentalist, points to stories like When Harry Met Sally and One Day as influences.
Adult Best Friends is a breath of fresh air—a funny, heartwarming film that captures the beauty and messiness of lifelong friendship. Delaney and Katie deliver a story that feels both personal and universal, filled with sharp humor and genuine emotional depth. Watching their journey unfold is a reminder that, no matter how complicated life gets, true friendships are worth fighting for.
Catch Adult Best Friends now on Apple TV and Prime Video—and maybe give your best friend a call while you’re at it.
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