The Parenting
Directed by Craig JohnsonA couple rents a countryside house for a weekend with their parents and then discover it's inhabited by a 400-year-old poltergeist.
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The Parenting Ratings & Reviews
- ርልዪረMarch 14, 2025If bringing families together is already a challenge in everyday life, imagine doing it in an isolated setting while also dealing with supernatural events. "The Parenting" takes this classic premise, mixing horror and comedy to create a weekend none of the characters will forget. The result is a film that plays with genre conventions without fully committing to any of them, balancing scares, humor, and a subtle exploration of family relationships. With a cast full of veteran talent and direction that knows how to handle both social awkwardness and well-timed scares, the movie entertains without necessarily reinventing the wheel. Its biggest strength lies in how it weaves these elements together cohesively, never letting one aspect completely overshadow the others. The story follows Rohan (Nik Dodani) and Josh (Brandon Flynn), a couple who decide to bring their families together for a weekend getaway-a plan that already carries some natural tension, which only worsens when they realize the house they've rented is haunted. The script makes good use of the characters' dynamics, building the initial interactions with sharp humor and a generous dose of awkwardness. The arrival of the parents only adds to the friction: on one side, there's Frank (Brian Cox) and Sharon (Edie Falco), rigid and emotionally reserved; on the other, Liddy (Lisa Kudrow) and Cliff (Dean Norris), much more affectionate and open. The exchanges of snide remarks and uncomfortable glances set the tone for the film's first half, while small details subtly hint that something is off about the house. The suspense builds effectively within the film's lighthearted approach, with subtle clues stacking up until they culminate in more explicit horror moments. The presence of Brenda (Parker Posey), the house's eccentric caretaker, already brings a mix of comedy and unease. The chalk circle on the floor, the full moon, and the history of past disappearances are introduced casually, but the looming threat gradually escalates until the first truly shocking scene-when Frank violently attacks Josh-flips the switch into supernatural horror. From that point on, the film leans into its more grotesque side, with possessions, high-velocity projectile vomiting, and sequences that feel like a "light" version of "Evil Dead." The movie's biggest asset is its cast. Brian Cox is clearly having a blast playing a possessed patriarch, delivering a performance that swings between menacing and ridiculously funny. Parker Posey, with her natural knack for eccentric characters, steals every scene she's in, adding mystery and unintentional humor. Lisa Kudrow and Dean Norris have great chemistry as the more approachable, laid-back parents, while Edie Falco adds depth to her judgmental character, making her more human rather than just a caricature. Meanwhile, Nik Dodani and Brandon Flynn work well as the central couple, though the film is far more interested in the interactions between the veteran actors than in their relationship. Craig Johnson's direction keeps the pacing tight, never letting the film linger too long in either genre. There's a well-balanced blend of horror and comedy, something that could easily spiral out of control if the tone wasn't carefully managed. Kent Sublette's script, on the other hand, has a great sense of comedic timing, especially in how it integrates humor organically into the horror setting-like the creative way the characters accidentally utter a cursed phrase because it's the Wi-Fi password. Still, the film avoids excessive self-awareness or meta-humor, opting for laughs that come naturally from absurd situations rather than relying solely on references or parody. Visually, "The Parenting" doesn't try to reinvent the horror aesthetic but makes solid use of classic elements. The house itself is a pretty generic "haunted mansion" setting, but the cinematography takes full advantage of its wide spaces and unsettling shadows to build tension. The practical effects are well executed, especially in the possession scenes, and the lighting in the final act-when the mystery of the house is fully revealed-adds a genuinely eerie atmosphere. "The Parenting" knows exactly what it wants to be: a light horror flick that never takes itself too seriously but also doesn't descend into complete farce. It leans on its talented cast and sharp humor to make the experience more fun than scary, delivering well-placed jump scares, solid laughs, and a storyline that, while predictable, unfolds in an engaging way. It may not be a standout in the genre, but it works as a well-crafted piece of entertainment-one of those movies that's worth the watch and might even make some viewers think twice before saying random Wi-Fi passwords out loud.
- Scott ThomasOctober 11, 2025I absolutely love it when a horror/comedy can ACTUALLY make me laugh out loud AND be genuinely frightened. I loved it.
- jackmeatJune 13, 2025My quick rating - 5.8/10. The Parenting is a lighthearted, spooky romp that nails the awkward “meet the parents” dynamic and layers on a delightfully absurd twist: a 400-year-old poltergeist lurking in the vacation rental. The setup feels like a familiar rom-com scenario. Boyfriends Josh and Rohan plan a weekend getaway so their parents can finally meet, but the film veers quickly (and hilariously) into supernatural territory. From the jump, the film makes it clear it’s here to have fun, and that was director Craig Johnson's sole intention. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, leaning into its horror-comedy label with a stronger emphasis on laughs than scares. While the premise hints at a haunted house horror flick, the execution is far more interested in family dynamics, awkward dinners, and the ridiculousness of demonic possession. The horror elements do eventually come into play, and the resolution is surprisingly creative, if more comical than chilling. For those hoping for genuine frights, this might feel a bit light—but that's clearly by design, not by accident. The ensemble cast is one of the movie’s biggest strengths. Lisa Kudrow shines with some of the film’s funniest lines, delivering her signature brand of dry, offbeat humor. Parker Posey, always a standout, is a joy to watch. And Brian Cox plays against type as Frank, one of the dads, bringing a different energy than we usually see from him. It's a role that lets him flex comedic timing rather than seriousness, and he fits surprisingly well into the mix. That trifecta elevates each scene and bumps this up a notch from standard fare. The chemistry among the full cast is solid, with everyone bouncing off each other in that chaotic, dinner-table-with-too-many-opinions kind of way. While the story may nominally focus on Josh and Rohan, the filmmakers crafted a true ensemble piece where they don't sideline anyone. Even the demon itself ends up feeling like part of the dysfunctional family gathering. A welcome surprise is the heavy use of practical effects. In a genre often overwhelmed by CGI, it’s refreshing to see more grounded, tangible effects that add charm to the poltergeist’s antics without distracting from the comedy. Ultimately, The Parenting is a film best enjoyed with your brain turned off and your popcorn bucket full. It’s 94 breezy minutes of paranormal mishaps, overbearing parents, and ridiculous rituals. Yeah, sure, I wanted a heavier lean into horror to appeal more to genre fans, but what we get is a consistently funny, well-cast movie that delivers exactly what it promises: goofy, supernatural family fun.
- jakeytasticMarch 28, 2025😂 all the negative reviews saying it's "not scary". Oh boy, its not meant to be scary so congratulations on you're ability to read 😂 really fun movie, plenty of laugh out loud moments 😅 highly recommend watching if you're in the mood for a good laugh
- Splitvision89May 29, 2025The movie is a bit all over in terms of genre, but the movie is a bit funny and has some good cheesy horror.
- fuse187April 27, 2025Excellent movie
- chriss4198April 20, 2025A worthy House nod
- widowshyperApril 17, 2025Dean Norris shoving his finger up a demon dogs ass is the highlight of this film. It's 100% a turn your brain off movie, its pretty silly but it had me and my girl giggling and laughing at the silly jokes.
- PatrikStarApril 12, 2025Maybe Logan Roy was possessed all along
- [ e c k o b a s e ]April 9, 2025Feels like a straight to Amazon Prime movie, very rushed with no time to stick and build any backstory with the plot or characters. Brian Cox sleepwalked through this and was the best thing in it! Maybe 1-2 laughs but very average don't feel bad if you don't see this one
- NonPlayableContentMarch 30, 2025The reviews made this seem like terrible humor for stupid people. It was entertaining and got laughs here and there so very middle of the road, something I probably won't remember by the end of the year.
- CallumMarch 24, 2025Pretty decent, had fun watching it, worth a one time look but don't expect Shakespeare from this
- cultfilmlikerMarch 21, 2025More goofy than silly. More silly than funny. More funny than good. More bad than all. Thank God for Parker Posey
- Megan CruzMarch 18, 2025Painfully unfunny, full of cliches, and not even a little scary. Parker Posey deserves so much better.
- Oʂɯαʅԃσ RσყҽƚƚMarch 14, 2025If bringing families together is already a challenge in everyday life, imagine doing it in an isolated setting while also dealing with supernatural events. "The Parenting" takes this classic premise, mixing horror and comedy to create a weekend none of the characters will forget. The result is a film that plays with genre conventions without fully committing to any of them, balancing scares, humor, and a subtle exploration of family relationships.
The Parenting Trivia
The Parenting was released on March 13, 2025.
The Parenting was directed by Craig Johnson.
The Parenting has a runtime of 1 hr 34 min.
The Parenting was produced by Chris Bender, Jake Weiner.
The key characters in The Parenting are Josh (Brandon Flynn), Rohan (Nik Dodani), Frank (Brian Cox).
The Parenting is rated R.
The Parenting is a Comedy, Horror film.
The Parenting has an audience rating of 8.4 out of 10.