Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Forgettable horror comedy has scares, language, slurs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Parenting
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE PARENTING, Rohan (Nik Dodani) has planned a romantic getaway in a rural rental house with beau Josh (Brandon Flynn) and their parents, Frank (Brian Cox), Sharon (Edie Falco), Liddy (Lisa Kudrow), and Cliff (Dean Norris). But from the start, something feels off. The property manager, Brenda (Parker Posey), is downright weird, a snowstorm descends unexpectedly, and then strange things start happening in the house.
Is It Any Good?
This horror comedy has both scares and laughs—or at least eye rolls—but it's hard not to feel that its stellar cast is squandered. You'd be forgiven for expecting more from The Parenting, with Cox, Kudrow, Falco, and Posey involved. Instead, the film is what it apparently set out to be, which is a purposefully goofy horror flick. The cast appear to be having fun, from Cox's nude scene and gay slurs to Kudrow's constant swearing and Posey's demon voices. The younger actors match the elders in humor, and also bring the diversity. OK as an experience, easy to forget.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether The Parenting effectively mixes horror and comedy. Does this combination work? Why, or why not?
The dad makes a number of gay slurs, which are meant to be outrageous and humorous because he's possessed by a demon. Did you find this funny? Why, or why not?
What commentary does the film make about generational gaps?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 13, 2025
- Cast : Nik Dodani , Brandon Flynn , Brian Cox
- Director : Craig Johnson
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : HBO Max
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Holidays
- Run time : 94 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
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