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Comedy drama

Almost Friends (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Almost Friends (2017) movie poster

Almost Friends is a 2017 comedy drama starring Freddie Highmore as Charlie, Odeya Rush and Gary Ray Moore. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $35,842 worldwide. Critics gave it 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
33%
worldwide gross
$35.8K
Echo Score
55
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Almost Friends (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 41m (101 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Almost Friends About?

The premise of Almost Friends without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Charlie, an aspiring chef, feels stuck between the familiarity of his small town and the allure of big-city dreams. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Amber, a vibrant and free-spirited woman. As a relationship develops, Charlie is forced to examine his own goals and anxieties, all while dealing with the complications of meddling friends and family, and the challenge of shaping his own destiny.

Almost Friends Themes & Keywords

· 17 tags
  • mother
  • dating
  • first date
  • stepfather
  • father son relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • coffee shop
  • friendship
  • bar exam
  • vomit
  • drunk
  • movie theater
+5 more
  • cousin cousin relationship
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • runner
  • 2010s
  • adult child lives at home
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Cast & crew

Almost Friends Cast & Characters

Freddie Highmore leads the cast as Charlie, with Odeya Rush as Amber and Gary Ray Moore as Ross.

Ratings

Almost Friends Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Almost Friends 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in story & flow (30).

55 /100

Almost Friends Echo Score Breakdown

Almost Friends delivers a modest romantic drama marked by uneven narrative momentum and selective character appeal. The cinematography and production design seldom stand out, lending a subdued tone that aligns with the film’s gentle pacing but at times feels inert. While the lead performances provide occasional warmth and believable chemistry, the predictable plot and cutesy contrivances often undercut dramatic stakes. The soundtrack is soothing but not memorable, and the film’s overall replay value is limited by its predictability. Taken together, the film offers a mixed experience that may resonate with viewers seeking a low-key romance.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, the direction and visual composition maintain a subdued aesthetic that aligns with the film’s understated tone. Production design is serviceable but lacks distinctive flair, while editing contributes to a deliberate pace that occasionally drags. The color palette is restrained, reinforcing the modest setting. Overall, the craft feels competent but rarely striking.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, the leads bring earnest performances that generate sporadic warmth and credible rapport. Their modest chemistry is a highlight amid otherwise muted interactions. However, secondary characters remain underdeveloped and emotional payoffs sometimes feel muddled by contrived plot devices. Overall, the ensemble offers intermittent engagement but lacks depth.

  • Story & Flow 30

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative unfolds predictably with familiar romantic beats emerging long before major turning points. Pacing is gentle but frequently slack, leading to dramatic inertia in key segments. Occasional twists inject minimal surprise, yet they fail to elevate the overall coherence. In sum, the screenplay offers limited originality and uneven engagement throughout.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of sensory experience, the soundtrack provides a soothing backdrop that complements the film’s quiet mood, though it seldom commands attention. Sound design remains restrained, and the visual style favors muted tones without striking contrasts. While the gentle audio-visual approach supports the story’s intimate scale, it also contributes to a largely unremarkable sensory impression.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Concerning rewatch factor, the film’s familiarity and straightforward structure limit its appeal on subsequent viewings. The modest charms of the lead performances may warrant a revisit for dedicated fans, but predictable plot developments and a lack of standout moments reduce replay value. Ultimately, the movie offers only moderate incentives for watching again beyond the initial experience.

Plot

Almost Friends Plot Summary

What happens in Almost Friends from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Charlie Brenner [Freddie Highmore] is a seemingly unmotivated young man who has returned home after dropping out of college. He lives with his mother, his stepfather Ross [Gary Ray Moore], and his brother Steven, and works as the assistant manager at a small movie theatre, living vicariously through his best friend Ben [Haley Joel Osment].

Full summary

The whole story of Almost Friends, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Almost Friends Box Office

Almost Friends grossed $35,842 worldwide. $1,481 came from the US and Canada and $34,361 (96%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$35.8K

US & Canada
$1.5K
International
$34.4K
US & Canada 4% Rest of the world 96%
Videos

Almost Friends Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Almost Friends.

ALMOST FRIENDS Official Trailer (2017) Freddie Highmore, Odeya Rush, Haley Joel Osment Movie HD
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Almost Friends?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Charlie Brenner's job at the beginning of the film?

Cars

Cars in Almost Friends

37 cars on screen, including the 2015 Toyota Prius III and the 2013 Honda Civic.

All 37 cars
  • 2015 Toyota Prius III in Almost Friends 2015 Toyota Prius III Main role
  • 2013 Honda Civic in Almost Friends 2013 Honda Civic Important role
  • 2014 Infiniti QX70 in Almost Friends 2014 Infiniti QX70 Important role
  • 2015 Nissan Versa Note in Almost Friends 2015 Nissan Versa Note Important role
Details

Almost Friends Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “Holding Patterns” and “올모스트 프렌즈”.

Also known as
  • Holding Patterns
  • 올모스트 프렌즈
  • Почти приятели
  • 不只是朋友
  • Почти друзья
  • Aproape prieteni
  • Une nouvelle chance
  • Quase Amigos
  • 사랑
  • 스무살
  • כמעט חברים
  • La rivoluzione di Charlie
+7 more
  • Casi Amigos
  • Almost Friends - Quase Amigos
  • Prawie przyjaciele
  • Skoro přátelé
  • Majdnem barátok
  • Neredeyse Arkadaşlar, თითქმის მეგობრები
  • Майже друзі

Seen Almost Friends?

FAQ

Almost Friends FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Almost Friends, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Almost Friends?

Almost Friends runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).

When was Almost Friends released?

Almost Friends was released on November 17, 2017.

Who is in the cast of Almost Friends?

Almost Friends stars Freddie Highmore as Charlie, Odeya Rush as Amber and Gary Ray Moore as Ross, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Almost Friends make at the box office?

Almost Friends grossed $35,842 worldwide ($1,481 domestic, $34,361 international).

How is Almost Friends rated?

Almost Friends has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63% on TMDB and 2.6/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Almost Friends have a post-credit scene?

No. Almost Friends has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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