Once Upon a Time in a Cinema vs The Friend
Once Upon a Time in a Cinema has the higher audience score (10/10 against 6.7/10 for The Friend). Once Upon a Time in a Cinema is the shorter watch at 1h 32m compared with 1h 59m. The Friend is the older of the two (2025 against 2026). Both are drama movies, so they suit a similar mood.
Once Upon a Time in a Cinema
The Friend| Once Upon a Time in a Cinema | The Friend | |
|---|---|---|
| Audience score | ★ 10.0/10 | ★ 6.7/10 |
| Year | 2026 | 2025 |
| Length | 1h 32m | 1h 59m |
| Genres | Drama | Drama |
| Country | Ireland | – |
| Director | David Gleeson | David Siegel, Scott McGehee |
| Main cast | Colin Morgan, Andrew Bennett, Niamh Cusack, Stanley Townsend, Liam O'Brien | Carla Gugino, Felix Solis, Noma Dumezweni, Bill Murray, Owen Teague |
Synopsis
Once Upon a Time in a Cinema
Earl Clancy, a cinema owner on the edge, battles a series of disasters while juggling personal turmoil and the chaos of a packed Friday night crowd. Told in real time over the course of the movie playing in the cinema.
The Friend
New York City writer Iris finds her comfortable, solitary life thrown into disarray after her closest friend and mentor bequeaths her a Great Dane named Apollo. The huge dog immediately creates practical problems for Iris, from furniture destruction to eviction notices, as well as more existential ones. Yet as Iris finds herself unexpectedly bonding with Apollo, she begins to come to terms with her past, and her own creative inner life.
Where to watch
Where to watch Once Upon a Time in a CinemaWhere to watch The Friend
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