My 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.
This one is a Max original, which is affiliated with Amazon and these other streamers as well.