In “The Parenting,” a humorous horror-adventure directed by Craig Johnson (known for “Wilson” and “Alex Strangelove”), a weekend trip for a couple and their parents takes an unexpected supernatural twist. The film, set to premiere on Max on March 13, is not particularly scary, but it benefits from a charming cast whose comedic talents give the movie a slight edge over typical streaming fare.
Rohan (portrayed by Nik Dodani in “Atypical” and “Twisters”) and Josh (Brandon Flynn known for “13 Reasons Why” and “Manhunt”), this adorable couple, are feeling jittery about meeting each other’s families. As they journey towards a picturesque countryside mansion, their temporary home at just $350 per night, they share advice and hidden truths to make the best impact. Mostly, Rohan is trying to ready his boyfriend for his strict and discerning parents. However, Josh, with his background at REI and aspiring musician status, remains unfazed. He confidently asserts that parents adore him because he’s easy-going.
Rohan and Josh, a charming duo from “Atypical” and “Twisters”, respectively, and Brandon Flynn’s characters in “13 Reasons Why” and “Manhunt”, are anxious to encounter each other’s families. En route to a scenic countryside mansion they’ve rented for $350 per night, they exchange tips and secrets on making a positive first impression. Primarily, Rohan is trying to prepare his partner for his demanding and critical parents. Nevertheless, Josh, having worked at REI and with musical aspirations, remains unperturbed. He claims that parents appreciate him as he’s laid-back.)
It turns out that Rohan’s adoptive parents, Frank (played by Brian Cox) and Sharon (Edie Falco), don’t find Josh’s humor appealing. In fact, they come across as quite stern compared to Josh’s more relaxed biological parents, Liddy (Lisa Kudrow) and Cliff (Dean Norris). When these six adults gather together for the first time, an uncomfortable tension fills the room.
Apart from the house being haunted, adding to the nightly disturbances that disrupt sleep, it’s worth noting that before Rohan and Josh moved in under Brenda’s (Parky Posey) ownership, a peculiar woman with an empty gaze and uncommon chartreuse eyeshadow resided there. The film, The Parenting, initiates with a flashback to 1983, depicting a tranquil suburban evening. A mother (Kate Avallone) is seen watching the final episode of M*A*S*H, while her daughter (Chloe Sciore) seethes in her room and her son (Keith R. Beck) attempts to steer clear of both. Johnson introduces the early eerie incidents with a light-hearted, straightforward approach. One instant the mother is preparing dinner, and suddenly a malevolent entity snatches her ankle, dragging her into the basement. The children are targeted next, and in quick succession, the entire family vanishes.
As per Brenda, an eccentric individual prone to drifting off during conversations, it was an abandoned house following a fire, which she spontaneously disclosed to Rohan and Josh. The duo found her peculiarities disturbing. They experienced relief when Brenda gifted them a welcome basket filled with items like wine, meat sticks, and a somewhat spooky doll, before departing.
Rather than diving headfirst into supernatural events, Johnson allows us a glimpse into the family’s everyday life. The funniest moments of the movie undoubtedly come from the early scenes showcasing interactions between Josh, Rohan and their parents. The humor in these scenes is reminiscent of dad jokes, but it creeps up on you unexpectedly. Moreover, watching Cox, Falco, Kudrow, and Norris play off each other so seamlessly is a joy. They beautifully portray the stiff unease between two families who may not be fond of each other, as they gather for the first time. Dodani and Flynn deliver strong performances as the nervous children, yearning for parental approval while trying to carve out their own paths independently.
In an amusing recurring scenario, it’s revealed that spooky occurrences are actually triggered by the Wi-Fi, surprisingly disguised as an ancient Latin curse. One evening, Count Orlok enchants Frank by reading out the password aloud, leaving this observer puzzled about such carelessness. As a result, Frank becomes possessed, causing a series of unsettling events to unfold.
As Rohan’s father gives in to the demon’s control, Josh faces an unexpected side of his partner, causing him to reach out desperately to their mutual friend Sara (Vivian Bang). This prompts her to travel upstate to be with the family. The show, titled “The Parenting,” delves into a type of horror that is more likely to make you laugh than scream. The backstory for the hauntings is light and may not fully satisfy if scrutinized too closely. There are few jump scares and traditional horror tropes, and Johnson seems less concerned with gore. Any bloodshed is usually used humorously, so whether you find it entertaining or not will depend on your preference for quick chuckles over sustained fear.
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2025-03-12 16:24