BUDS (2025) is a heartwarming and hilarious comedy-drama that follows the unlikely reunion of two childhood friends who’ve taken drastically different paths in life. After years of lost contact, Emily and Jake—once inseparable, now strangers in many ways—are forced to come together for a family event. The film explores their rekindled friendship and the quirky, laugh-out-loud moments that arise as they navigate the ups and downs of adulthood.
Emily, now a perfectionist career woman trying to climb the corporate ladder, has turned into someone very different from the fun-loving, carefree girl she once was. Jake, on the other hand, is living a more relaxed, free-spirited life, hopping from job to job, never quite figuring out his next step. When they meet again, they quickly realize how much they’ve changed but also how much they need each other to confront the pressures of their respective lives.
As they face awkward encounters, misadventures, and a series of hilarious misunderstandings, the pair realize they may still have more in common than they thought. Their journey includes humorous attempts to fix each other’s lives (including disastrous attempts at love and starting a business together), all while trying to juggle their personal challenges.
As they dig deeper into their friendship, BUDS also becomes a reflection on the importance of holding onto the bonds that shape us—despite how life pulls us in different directions. Ultimately, they rediscover that growing apart doesn’t mean growing apart forever, and sometimes the best way to face your struggles is with the people who knew you when.
