First-time filmmaker Delaney Buffett boldly steps into the spotlight with Adult Best Friends, a film she wrote, directed, and stars in — a tall order for anyone, but especially impressive given that this is Buffett’s feature debut. The story centers on Delaney and Katie, two women whose friendship has spanned the entirety of their lives, and Buffett adds an extra layer of authenticity by casting herself and real-life best friend Katie Corwin as the two leads. Drawing directly (we assume) from their genuine bond, Buffett and Corwin easily capture the hilarious tension and awkwardness that can erupt when lifelong friends attempt to navigate the uncharted waters of adulthood.
Free-spirited and carefree, Delaney embraces something of a bohemian lifestyle, while Katie settles into a comfortable routine with her boyfriend, John (Mason Gooding, Scream VI). But when John pops the question, Katie is faced with trying to find the right way to break the news to Delaney, who isn’t the biggest fan of John in the first place and will likely bristle at the notion of Katie settling down. Katie’s solution — an impromptu road trip to visit the beach town she and Delaney loved as children, where hopefully she can find the courage to break the news — quickly spirals as she finds herself becoming increasingly tangled in a web of deception.
As Katie scrambles to keep her secret while simultaneously grappling with a series of unexpected (and hilarious) obstacles that begin cropping up the moment they arrive, the trip becomes a test of their friendship, highlighting how different lifestyles and priorities can create tension. And while many of these moments are played for laughs here, there remains an authentic emotional core beneath the comedy, as both Katie and Delaney are forced to ponder the strength of their bond and the uncertain future of their relationship.
Anchored by the authenticity of Buffett and Corwin’s real-life rapport, Adult Best Friends is an honest portrayal of the way friendships can evolve, and the challenges that come with growing apart. With sharp humor and an undeniable sweetness, it’s a reminder that true friendship can weather life’s storms, and that sometimes the most difficult conversations are the ones most worth having, especially with the people we love.
Adult Best Friends premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival.