Max’s latest horror-comedy film, The Parenting, brings back the campy goodness missing from this generation. The movie follows boyfriends Josh (Brandon Flynn) and Rohan (Nik Dodani) as they embark on a weekend getaway to meet each other’s parents for the first time—only to discover that evil spirits haunt their rental. While this family get-together flick seems like it will be gory, it’s quite the opposite. Awkward conversations, jokes, and absurdity take center stage, making this the perfect watch for a laughable movie night.
Throwback Thrills and Awkward Chills
The beginning of The Parenting sets the tone for all the horror movie references and inspirations that become apparent as the story unfolds. It opens in the 80s with bright neon colors, as the family who originally lived in the house—now rented by Josh and Rohan—gets captured by an evil entity and slaughtered in the basement. This opening scene has a similar style to the 1989 horror-comedy Little Monsters, which just gears up the lighthearted feel for the rest of the film.
As the film continues to embrace its 80s vibe, we meet Brenda (Parker Posey), who fully embodies the Valley Girl aesthetic. With her Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice-inspired hair—featuring two wigs, a black pixie haircut with a long gray braid attached to the back—she’s the perfect visual representation of the period’s over-the-top style. When Brenda meets Josh and Rohan, she’s socially awkward and a bit sketchy, presenting them with a welcome basket containing wine, meat sticks, and corn. Speaking of corn, she says the best thing about it is that it has dolls, then proceeds to pick one up. When Josh says, “That’s cute,” she seriously replies, “It’s not a ‘that.’ It’s a little girl,” which was hilarious! Brenda’s creepy yet sweet presence adds to the film’s playful tone, making her an unforgettable part of the ensemble.
Following that cringey encounter, the film jumps to the happy couple getting settled—that’s when the parents come in, and the nervousness kicks in. Rohan’s parents are the rich, demure, bougie types, while Josh’s parents are more down-to-earth, loud, and outspoken. The playful-meets-serious dynamic becomes quite clear as the pair meets for the first time. Josh’s mom introduces herself as Liddy (Lisa Kudrow), which Rohan’s mom, Sharon (Edie Falco), assumes is short for Lydia. But Liddy explains that it’s actually short for Elisabeth. This mix-up leads to a hilarious back-and-forth. As a result, Liddy’s nickname becomes a running gag in the film, as it’s not a typical one. Kudrow continues to shine as Liddy, easily being the funniest on screen with her perfect comedic timing.
Things get wild when Rohan’s dad Frank (Brian Cox) gets possessed, giving off major Exorcist vibes. At first, it’s all fun and games, with Frank slicing Josh with a knife ‘accidentally’ and being clueless, playing with those classic horror movie moments. But then, the humor takes a drastic turn, as the ghost who takes over Frank’s body starts making gay jokes and insults towards the couple. What started as a playful nod to horror films transforms into something much more uncomfortable, as the film treads the line between humor and insensitivity.
Just when you think the film couldn’t miss the mark any further, it doubles down on the gross-out humor. The jokes go from edgy to downright childish, with outdated flatulence gags and vomiting scenes that feel more silly than shocking. For example, Frank unnecessarily throws up twice in two different scenes, with the second time involving Liddy’s crazy noodles (another running gag). The repetitiveness of trying to make puking funny might just make you look away from the screen. It’s as if the film forgets its earlier moments of cleverness and takes a sharp dive into lowbrow humor that doesn’t quite land.
A Bumpy Ride, But Still Worth the Watch
Despite The Parenting’s occasional misses with raunchy humor, there’s still plenty to enjoy. The chemistry between Josh and Rohan is undeniable. The awkward family dinner scenes are the most memorable and relatable. The dialogue between the two families will have you rolling on the floor laughing. On top of that, the film has a few jump scares but isn’t gory or downright scary (aside from the ghost family with missing faces). So, if you’re not easily put off by a few cringe-worthy gags, this film offers a fun, unpredictable ride that makes up for its flaws with quirky energy and a lot of heart.
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