Why ‘The Parenting’ Misses the Mark with Star-Studded Cast

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You know, it’s that traditional milestone – the gathering of both sets of parents, yours and your partner’s. The question is, where to hold it? Your home, theirs, or perhaps a weekend retreat to establish a sort of neutral territory? That seems like a good idea. Just make sure the chosen location isn’t a haunted house or anything like that… Now, that sounds like a movie concept – how about The Parenting? It’s set to debut on Max on Thursday with an impressive cast. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, the film ends up being less than spectacular under director Craig Johnson (The Skeleton Twins) and writer Kent Sublette (Saturday Night Live).

As a devoted film enthusiast, I must share my thoughts on an intriguing new production that brings together some of my favorite small-screen stars – Lisa Kudrow from “Friends”, Brian Cox from “Succession”, and Edie Falco from “The Sopranos”. This unique ensemble takes on the challenge of parental roles, but unfortunately, the character development seems to have been sacrificed for frequent attempts at shocking the audience. By the end of this film, you might find yourself questioning why Warner Bros. Discovery didn’t wait until Halloween season to release a more fitting monster-in-the-house flick. Nevertheless, let me delve deeper into this production and share my insights.

Meet the Parents x2

The movie The Parenting has a somewhat dubious beginning due to a crucial scene in act 1 that shouldn’t be blamed for its flaw. In this scene, Rohan (Nik Dodani from Atypical) and Josh (Brandon Flynn from 13 Reasons Why) are traveling to their weekend retreat, but the background scenery they pass through is so obviously computer-generated that even an inexperienced viewer can tell. Although this might seem like a minor issue, will we continuously be pulled out of this world later in the story? It’s for you to decide. However, if you can endure it and get the important information about how their parents are going to meet for the first time at a rental house they booked for the weekend, we can proceed to the main plot.

Rohan and Josh encounter an unconventional property manager named Brenda, played by Parker Posey, who gives off a somewhat unsettling vibe about the house’s mysterious past. Could it be haunted by a poltergeist? This isn’t much of a secret if you’ve followed this straight-to-Max movie’s promotional materials. Prior to the chaos unfolding, we are introduced to Rohan’s affluent and formal adoptive parents Frank and Sharon, contrasting with Josh’s easygoing family members Liddy and Cliff. As expected, the initial meeting between the in-laws is awkward (similar to Meet the Parents), but once certain supernatural forces are awakened within the house, the strained extended family must now focus on more pressing matters.

In the midst of the chaotic haunted-house setting, a distinctive romantic element emerges through a peculiar love triangle involving a character named Sara (portrayed brilliantly by Vivian Bang). Sara seems to play the role of confidante for both Rohan and Josh, offering advice during their disagreements. They discreetly text her, unaware that she is gradually gaining knowledge about their issues. This situation could easily be the foundation for a sitcom, as Sara’s character often finds herself in the middle of a complicated gay relationship. Unfortunately, this intriguing aspect, along with other charming elements found in The Parenting, are overshadowed by the intense focus on the supposedly scary elements within the house. However, these frightening scenes lack impact, as they pale in comparison to other horror movies we’ve seen. It’s unfortunate that the in-law dynamics, although awkward and entertaining, aren’t the main issue here; instead, it’s director Johnson’s attempt to genuinely scare us that falls short.

Horror-Comedy — or Horror vs. Comedy

While Brian Cox’s energetic performance could draw viewers in, the plot unfortunately tries to give attention to too many characters, showcasing other talented actors. However, when “Logan Roy” (for fans of Succession) begins spewing outrageously profane insults and disturbing substances, thanks to the growing unsettling atmosphere, you might find yourself bursting out in laughter. Unfortunately, there’s not enough of that hilarity.

This weekend’s events, often reminiscent of sitcom tropes, involve the initial meeting of the two sets of parents. However, we yearn for more of the captivating performances by Parker Posey (who has been brilliant on season 3 of The White Lotus) and Wang and Cox, rather than craving additional horror elements. Jennifer Aniston and Chris O’Dowd, popular TV stars from their previous hit series, appear in this movie, but simply being well-known doesn’t guarantee success. Regrettably, these talented actors are not fully utilized in The Parenting, particularly Aniston, who usually steals the spotlight whenever she enters a scene. After the underwhelming Netflix series No Good Deed last year and her recent roles, Aniston is due for an outstanding on-screen project.

The Parenting will begin streaming on Max Thursday.

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2025-03-12 16:35