Not being particularly familiar with director Craig Johnson’s (The Skeleton Twins) work or screenwriter Kent Sublette’s (Saturday Night Live) writing, expectations for The Parenting were mostly based on its promising premise and impressive cast. The concept fits perfectly within the ever-entertaining fusion of horror and comedy – a genre mix that’s notoriously difficult to balance, but when executed well, can deliver a truly memorable experience.
The Parenting follows young couple Rohan (Nik Dodani) and Josh (Brandon Flynn), who plan a weekend getaway in the countryside to introduce their parents. However, as tensions begin to rise between the more traditional Sharon (Edie Falco) and Frank (Brian Cox) and the laid-back Liddy (Lisa Kudrow) and Cliff (Dean Norris), the family quickly realizes that their rented house – managed by the eccentric Brenda (Parker Posey) – hides a dark secret: the presence of a 400-year-old poltergeist.
The Parenting Review
There’s nothing particularly groundbreaking or revolutionary about The Parenting. The narrative follows the well-worn formula of haunted house stories, relying on predictable jump scares, possession sequences, and even the inevitable regurgitation scene. Johnson makes no effort to hide his influences, replicating many of the same cinematic “tricks” seen in countless other movies of the genre. However, where this film truly stands out is in its phenomenal tonal balance between horror and comedy, supported by a highly relatable script and a cast bursting with natural chemistry.
Both thematically and narratively, The Parenting revolves around a situation that many viewers will recognize as a quintessentially awkward milestone of adulthood: introducing your parents to your significant other – and, of course, to their parents. From the nerve-wracking anticipation to the utopian hope that everything will go even better than planned, Sublette’s script, paired with Johnson’s precise direction, perfectly captures the tensions, awkward silences, and sudden behavioral shifts that make these encounters as chaotic as they are unforgettable.
The movie’s greatest strength lies in its exploration of family dynamics and the surprisingly effective comedic approach to these relationships. The humor works because it’s deeply rooted in reality: we all know families where the parents are either too strict or overly easygoing, couples where one partner is relaxed and the other is perpetually stressed. The film playfully deconstructs the idea that a family bond automatically means harmony and mutual adoration, instead emphasizing the importance of honesty and embracing differences.
Parental validation is another key theme, highlighting how the pressure to impress can lead to unnecessary insecurities and an irrational fear of judgment. The Parenting tackles this issue in an accessible, intelligent manner, crafting situations that will easily resonate with audiences of all kinds. The supernatural element serves as an effective metaphor for how external events can help redefine family relationships, forcing the characters to unite for the greater good and allowing their true personalities to emerge.
This is where the cast truly shines. Interestingly, despite the narrative focus being on Rohan and Josh, Dodani (Twisters) and Flynn (13 Reasons Why) deliver the least standout performances – not due to lack of talent, but because the parents completely steal the show. Norris (Breaking Bad) entertains with his infectious laugh, Kudrow (Friends) showcases impeccable comedic timing, Falco (The Sopranos) conveys volumes through mere facial expressions, and Cox (Succession) commands the screen with his magnetic presence, chewing up every scene like a cinematic feast.
While solid and incredibly fun, The Parenting would have benefited from more screen time devoted to an insanely possessed Cox and less to secondary characters with no real impact on the narrative or central arcs. A more frustrating issue, however, is the movie’s reluctance to fully examine one of its most compelling potential conflicts: the possible family tension surrounding the couple’s homosexuality. The script briefly hints at this conflict but ultimately sidesteps it entirely, avoiding any potential dramatic weight. In 2025, there’s no reason to continue treating such themes as taboo, and the decision to play it safe strips the film of a layer of depth that could have further elevated its emotional resonance.
Is The Parenting worth watching?
The Parenting stands out by how it transforms family chaos into an engaging spectacle, amplified by a cast at the top of their game. The interactions between characters crackle with energy and authenticity, making the conflicts, misunderstandings, and even the most absurd moments feel both believable and hilarious. An outstandingly relatable flick that, while not reinventing the genre, finds its own charm through an honest portrayal of family relationships – imperfect, tense, but ultimately held together by love.
The Parenting releases on Max on March 13.
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