The Parenting: Don’t Let the Scary Reviews Fool You

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On March 13, 2025, the horror comedy movie titled “The Parenting“, directed by Craig Johnson, made its debut on Max. However, it received heavy criticism from critics upon its release. As of now, it holds a 48% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, but an impressive 79% rating among the audience. So, what exactly are the critics finding fault with in “The Parenting“, and why does this reaction seem to be so disparate?

As a follower, I can share that the production has garnered some feedback. This work features renowned actors such as myself from HBO series like Brian Cox (“Succession”), Edie Falco (“The Sopranos”), and Parker Posey (“The White Lotus”). Additionally, it includes other stars like Lisa Kudrow (“Friends”) and Dean Norris (“Breaking Bad”). The primary criticism levied against this project, which is currently available, is that it doesn’t deliver enough horror to truly be classified as a horror movie.

If past trends suggest anything, genre can sometimes feel restrictive, yet many cherished, groundbreaking films tend to defy these boundaries. You may find it equally captivating and distinctive, much like a large number of other viewers.

What Is ‘The Parenting’ About?

Rohan (portrayed by Nik Dodani) and Josh (Brandon Flynn) decided to rent a countryside villa for a weekend getaway, hoping to introduce their families in a peaceful setting. Rohan’s adoptive parents are aloof and reserved, while Josh’s parents are eccentric and overly involved. To make matters more complicated,

A 400-year-old malevolent spirit also decides to join the festivities, creating an intense, darkly amusing adventure where both families must unite to vanquish the evil forces that threaten to imprison them within the house forever.

‘The Parenting’ Has Something for Everyone (Except Scares, I Guess)

To put it simply, I argue that “The Parenting” isn’t on track to become a groundbreaking, timeless classic like “Citizen Kane.” It’s not destined for greatness in terms of its impact on the genre. However, let me assure you, “The Parenting” is genuinely humorous. In fact, it’s worth watching just for the laughs. I found myself chuckling out loud several times, which was quite unexpected given the mixed reviews it’s been getting so far. Typically, when a comedy receives mediocre reviews, I expect the jokes to be lackluster. However, “The Parenting,” particularly at the start, is remarkably original with some standout one-liners.

At times, The Parenting can be described as:

Often, queer love stories tend to either overwhelm with hardships or boast about themselves. However, The Parenting is simply a film, without any apologies, that showcases the love between two men – and it’s quite dumb. For those seeking profound meaning, there appears to be indications that the monsters/spirits in the movie may symbolize homophobia and generational trauma (though I personally find this interpretation less likely).

Despite its supernatural elements, it’s delightful to find a film with a lighthearted, sugary storyline, such as this one, that spotlights a same-sex couple and boasts numerous A-list stars in the cast. Remarkably, their queerness isn’t the main theme of the script.

It seems to me that the main point I’m getting from this is that the crux of the matter appears to revolve around The Parenting failing to be sufficiently frightening. This film offers a captivating experience from beginning to end, with its humor, warmth, and boasting some highly skilled actors at their peak. Criticizing a movie like The Parenting for lacking scares feels a bit odd, given the abundance of suspenseful yet humorous horror movies out there. It’s somewhat puzzling why this film was targeted for being too tame, but let me assure you it remains an enjoyable 90 minutes regardless.

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2025-03-30 04:35