The Parenting Review: A Campy and Creepily Fun Horror-Comedy Flick With Some Substance

Once in a while, everyone adores their a good horror-comedy that never takes itself too seriously. Shows like What We Do in the Shadows and Santa Clarita Diet are proof of this with their on-point humor despite their absurd concepts. With such a well-rounded cast, The Parenting joins the roster of horror-comedies that’s worth the watch.

The Parenting follows a couple-to-be on a holiday weekend with their parents in hopes that they can gain the coveted romantic approvals. However, when supernatural occurrences start to plague the vacation home everyone’s staying in, the families can only hope to escape with their lives before it’s too late.

Of course, given how many films are coming out this month, The Parenting felt somewhat doomed given its circumstances. Fortunately, there’s much to enjoy even in its weird beginning moments.

From the bat, The Parenting really gives off this wacky and quirky vibe through its expository opening. Set in the ’80s, we’re treated to the event that caused this house to be cursed as mother, son, and daughter fall prey to this unseen demon. The camerawork and lighting heavily play into this satirical undertone, having that Suspiria-esque visual aesthetic as well.

However, the visual work takes a step back once we actually get acquainted to who’s who. Despite their respective stereotypical nerd and jock-y personalities, boyfriends Rohan and Josh are lovingly supportive of each other. There’s a genuine heartfelt connection that’s shared between both of them, but it can sometimes get muddled by the repetitive crude humor.

Fortunately, Nik Dodani and Brandon Flynn are able to make the most of Rohan and Josh’s relationship. Both of them really struggle with their own issues, from Josh trying to appease Rohan’s parents while Rohan tries to mentally prepare himself to propose to Josh.

Dodani and Flynn are both charming in their own ways, but the film’s family dynamics are heavily carried by its legacy cast.

Specifically, Dean Norris and Lisa Kudrow as Josh’s parents, Cliff and Liddy, are very much the comic relief of The Parenting. There are a few sweet moments they share with Josh and Rohan, like when Cliff decides to give Josh a small prep talk after things get crazy. Meanwhile, Liddy is pretty much the awkward, happily ignorant mother that’s actually chill.

She’s got this hippie vibe to her personality that makes her an empathetic figure, especially when Rohan’s adoptive mother, Sharon, tries to make sense of everything.

On Rohan’s adoptive parents, they’re somewhat cold as you’d believe some snobby parents were, but they also have some depth to them. They don’t want Rohan to fail, but they also don’t know how to really go about taking care of Rohan other than being distant.

Edie Falco and Brian Cox’s chemistry, which is only contained in The Parenting‘s first act, confidently establishes that. However, it’s past the first act of The Parenting where their chemistry, and the dynamics between the lead characters, goes fully bonkers.

After an oblivious Frank (Cox) decides to read the Wifi password, only to get possessed by the demon haunting this house, the comedy levels are pushed to the extreme. Cox really brings out his inner Logan Roy while infusing it with hints of Pazuzu from The Exorcist, creating this comical, yet frightening threat.

However, there are a few jokes (and yes, they’re LGBTQ+ related) that might not stick, especially when both families try to come up with a plan to exorcise the beast from Frank. Although, this feels remedied by that one interaction of normal Frank and demonic Frank arguing about who gets control of the body.

The scares in The Parenting are few, but work in tandem with director Craig Johnson’s absurd hijinks to land.

Some scares, like a withered hand creeping up on Josh or an undead ghost girl spooking everyone, are supposed to make you feel on edge a little. Yet, there are some scares that completely play up the comedy side of things to the extreme, like a possessed dog attacking out of nowhere.

While some may be expecting some gore, The Parenting definitely spares viewers on that end of its horror aspects. Although, there’s one sequence when Frank incidentally slices Josh’s arm that can be a little shocking.

The story of The Parenting itself has things to be desired, especially the dynamic between Josh and Rohan’s parents. It pretty much plays the two-family meeting dynamic to form, having those beats of awkward introductions and messy understandings. While the film itself is funny, it can feel like it leans into the comedy somewhat too much.

The moments of heartfelt sincerity that we get between the members of the family feel somewhat empty-handed. I would have loved to see more of those deeper interactions between Sharon and Liddy, but it can feel a bit undercut with so many moments with other characters being spread around. As such, it may feel like some moments don’t have enough time to fully stick with you.

Even with its off-the-beat humor and familiar family comeuppances, The Parenting provides enough charm, laughs, and ghastly nonsense to make it an entertaining movie. Of course, while its jokes and segmented story may not be for everyone, The Parenting is able to make what works about its concept into a movie that can be enjoyed by anyone.

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The Parenting begins streaming on Thursday, March 13, on Max.

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