The Hollars: John Krasinski comforts Margo Martindale in exclusive clip

John Krasinski’s first job ever as an actor was as a featured extra in a commercial for the department store Marshalls. Also in that ad: Margo Martindale, who has since established herself as one of America’s most beloved character actresses and won Emmys for Justified and The Americans.

Many years later, the two old pals have reunited for The Hollars, the new film directed by and starring Krasinski and featuring Martindale in a superb supporting performance as his mom. The movie’s title comes from the name of the family that Krasinski’s character has returned to after hearing the news that his mother is ill.

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As the film opens, she has been diagnosed with a brain tumor — and in this exclusive clip from the film, you can see her emotional husband (Richard Jenkins) leaving her hospital room, believing she’s asleep. And then you’ll discover the funny, sweet tone of this family dynamic.

The Hollars opens in theaters on Aug. 26. Stay tuned to EW for more on the film in coming weeks, and you can check out the trailer for it below.