Drinking Buddies 3 stars Directed by Joe Swanberg Starring Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston Rated R Playing at Landmark Sunshine and Nitehawk Cinema, on iTunes and VOD The prolific indie director Joe Swanberg works with A-listers for the first time in “Drinking Buddies” and the result is a fruitful mix. Swanberg, best known for mumblecore fare such as “Hannah Takes the Stairs,” is a fervent believer in improvisation. That’s a staple of some comedies, of course, but you’d be hard-pressed to find another American filmmaker who would so willingly employ the technique, which rejects a screenplay with dialogue for the innovations of actors, on dramatic material. You’d be even harder-pressed to uncover another drama packed with stars like Olivia Wilde and Anna Kendrick showing off their improvising skills. Movies like this simply don’t exist. Wilde stars as Kate, who works with Luke (Jake Johnson) at a Chicago brewery. They have a very close relationship and would surely be even closer were it not for the fact that each has a significant other. Kate is seeing Chris (Ron Livingston) and Luke dates Jill (Anna Kendrick). “Drinking Buddies” offers a subtle exploration of these relationships that rejects the usual three-act rhythms and concrete storytelling of such an enterprise. It requires some adjustments on the part of the viewer. But the movie grabs you once you’ve become attuned to the way Swanberg works and grown familiar with these characters. Filled with relatable performances, the film simply, honestly shows you people living their lives, zeroing in on small moments of truth and the illuminating potential of words left unsaid.

Drinking Buddies 3 stars Directed by Joe Swanberg Starring Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston Rated R Playing at Landmark Sunshine and Nitehawk Cinema, on iTunes and VOD The prolific indie director Joe Swanberg works with A-listers for the first time in “Drinking Buddies” and the result is a fruitful mix. Swanberg, best known for mumblecore fare such as “Hannah Takes the Stairs,” is a fervent believer in improvisation. That’s a staple of some comedies, of course, but you’d be hard-pressed to find another American filmmaker who would so willingly employ the technique, which rejects a screenplay with dialogue for the innovations of actors, on dramatic material. You’d be even harder-pressed to uncover another drama packed with stars like Olivia Wilde and Anna Kendrick showing off their improvising skills. Movies like this simply don’t exist. Wilde stars as Kate, who works with Luke (Jake Johnson) at a Chicago brewery. They have a very close relationship and would surely be even closer were it not for the fact that each has a significant other. Kate is seeing Chris (Ron Livingston) and Luke dates Jill (Anna Kendrick). “Drinking Buddies” offers a subtle exploration of these relationships that rejects the usual three-act rhythms and concrete storytelling of such an enterprise. It requires some adjustments on the part of the viewer. But the movie grabs you once you’ve become attuned to the way Swanberg works and grown familiar with these characters. Filled with relatable performances, the film simply, honestly shows you people living their lives, zeroing in on small moments of truth and the illuminating potential of words left unsaid.

News

New York

Movie Review: 'Drinking Buddies' -- 3 stars

Newsday

amNY -- Drinking Buddies

Most Popular

Latest video

New York video slot

Gov. Kathy Hochul, speaking exclusively to Newsday, said the incident shows the federal officers were "not well trained."

Hochul tells Newsday she's asking Trump to 'suspend ICE operations'

Gov. Hochul gave Newsday an exclusive interview at the Melville newsroom about the ICE shooting in NYC. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger has more.

'We have to return our streets back to normalcy'

Surveillance video released by the NYPD show men with guns drawn running up on the SUV as the driver backs up; one of the men punches he driver's side window as it's driven away.

Video of ICE shooting

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared a pre-recorded message on the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, asking New Yorkers to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice that day.

Mamdani shares a message on 9/11 anniversary

Sign up for the Breaking News newsletter

New York Newsletter Widget

Victor Romero allegedly shot another driver, Koran Irvine, on the George Washington Bridge last week.

Former NYPD detective indicted on a murder charge in fatal shooting on GW Bridge

New York Article Bottom Module

Luis Alciviades Encalada Ojeda, 48, of Corona, Queens, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Man drowns after fishing boat sinks off Southold beach

Attorneys for sex abuse victims in both cases said they learned from the challenges posed by the Diocese of Rockville Centre's bankruptcy filing.

How the LI Catholic Church played a role in landmark NYC settlement

A 17-year-old boy is charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

Teen charged in fatal subway shooting in midtown Manhattan

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has promised to sign the bill. The carriage drivers union plans a suit to stop the measure.

City Council bans Central Park carriage horses in historic vote

A Rockland County man was shot and killed on the bridge Tuesday.

Retired NYPD detective charged in fatal George Washington Bridge shooting

Metropolitan Park — which would bring 5,000 slot machines, 375 dealer tables and 1,000 hotel rooms to what is nominally city parkland — has polarized stakeholders from the start.

NYC commission delays design approval for $8B casino resort near Citi Field

New York Video Playlist

Yogesh "Aadi" Dangol, of Queens Village, was visiting Nepal, where he witnessed and filmed the flood that destroyed his birthplace of Betrawati.

'They're gone. We couldnt save them.'

Luigi Mangione plead guilty to stalking that resulted in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson nearly two years ago.

'The defendent very carefully prepared for the attack'

The boat's driver, Manuel Hernandez, 46, has been charged with misconduct and neglect. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Boat operator charged in fatal capsizing

245 E. 42nd St. is being monitored because it could collapse. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Midtown Manhattan building found to be unstable

The climbers, who displayed a banner once they reached the top, identified themselves on social media as daredevils who are known for climbing skyscrapers across the world. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Daredevils arrested after climbing Empire State Building

Beefed up security measures are in place around Madison Square Garden in preparation for President Trump's attendance at Game 3. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'Avoid the MSG area tonight if you do not have tickets'

A runway at LaGuardia Airport was closed due to a sinkhole. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa has more.

Sinkhole closes runway at LGA

The judge showed no mercy to the 36-year-old Guy Rivera, who was convicted of killing Diller during a street shooting in Far Rockaway. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'He mattered, his life mattered'

After a three-week trial, Guy Rivera was convicted of aggravated manslaughter, but acquitted of the top count of first-degree murder in the killing of NYPD Det. Jonathan Diller of Massapequa Park. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'The pain will never go away'

The airport was closed until about 2 p.m. Monday after a plane crashed into a fire truck on a runway Sunday night, killing two pilots and injuring dozens of others. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'It was chaotic'

The crash happened at about 11:40 p.m., when a Jazz Aviation flight, operating on behalf of Air Canada, struck a Port Authority firefighting and rescue vehicle that had been responding to a separate incident, the Port Authority said in a statement.

Video of the crash scene at LaGuardia

Michael Canders, associate professor of aviation at Farmingdale State College, weighs in on the crash that killed two pilots and injured dozens on a runway at LaGuardia Airport Sunday night. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'Inconclusive communication'

Homepage Trending

Halloween events on LI

2026 LI Voters Guide

Wallet Watch

Working Moms

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland takes a look back at the Kings Park Psychiatric Center.

Picture This: When Kings Park had a psychiatric hospital

The cost of living on Long Island is causing some Gen Zers to live at home with their parents. Newsday real estate reporter Rachel Weiss was more.

Cost of living keeps Gen Z at home with parents

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa heads to Hair we Share to see the process of turning donated hair into wigs.

LI Works: Giving wigs to those in need

Nassau and Suffolk counties have implemented a combined $57 million in technology upgrades to streamline the voting process.

New voting machines at Long Island polling places

Laura Otton, perinatal mental health therapist and owner of Therapy for Motherhood, talks to NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland about the logistics of returning to work after having a baby.

Working Moms: Negotiating a return to work

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed steps into the vineyards at Bedell Cellars to get an inside look at the action, the artistry, and the fresh flavors shaping Long Island's latest vintage.

Out East: Harvest time at Bedell Cellars

Rori Zura was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at the age of 33. Today, she helps others as a cancer exercise specialist. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Breast cancer survivor helps others take charge of their recovery

The report identified over half a million hateful posts on X between January 2025 and June 2026, with monthly growth of 75%. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Anti-South Asian rhetoric surging on some social media platforms, report says

Liberty Water has applied to raise rates in three of the areas it serves on Long Island. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Liberty seeks water rate hikes of $21-$28 a month for some Nassau customers

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Co-Owner, Dough & Co. Pizza to try the Apple Bay Pizza, which is exclusive to their Oyster Bay location.

Trendy Bites: An apple pie ... pizza?

<a href="https://www.newsday.com/video/newsdaytv-top-stories">Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories</a>

Newsday TV

NewsdayTV Top Item

Suit vs. Gurney's over damaged Lamborghini ... Down to the wire for Hochul, Blakeman ... Your Trick or Treat weather forecast ... Assessing the Giants at the mid point

Most Popular

Latest video

Stay logged in.