Naomi Watts plays the lead role in “The Friend,” an adaptation of Sigrid Nunez’s acclaimed novel of the same name. The movie explores the profound connection between a woman and a large-breed dog.

If you’ve seen Disney-Pixar’s Coco, chances are you fell in love with Dante — the quirky, loyal dog who accompanies Miguel on his magical journey through the Land of the Dead. But did you know Dante ...