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The Parenting

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2:14

The Parenting

2025

1h 40m

Horror

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

47%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

A hilariously terrifying comedy, THE PARENTING follows young couple Rohan and Josh as they plan a perfect weekend getaway in the country to introduce their parents. As tensions begin to flare between the more traditional Sharon and Frank and the laid-back Liddy and Cliff, the families soon realize that their rental -- managed by eccentric local Brenda -- is haunted by the presence of a 400-year-old poltergeist. When one parent becomes thoroughly possessed, it's up to the young couple and their meddlesome BFF Sara to unite the families and stop the evil entity once and for all.

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Critics Consensus

Playing in the well-worn horror-comedy sandbox, Craig Johnson's The Parenting may need a time-out when it comes to reinvigorating the genre.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

Director Craig Johnson gives up the ghost of a promise the movie had going for it.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 20, 2025

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Benjamin Lee

Guardian

As a comedy, it stops being funny and as a horror it never starts being scary with Johnson’s direction far too drab and lifeless for something so cartoonish and schlocky. Big swing, bigger miss.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 15, 2025

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Vikram Murthi

IndieWire

The ostensibly heartfelt scenes where characters apologize for their behavior or stand up for themselves never display an ounce of emotional potency because no one resembles a real person.

Rated: C-

Mar 13, 2025

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Ben Turner

The Pink Lens

The film’s main problem is its completely generic narrative. If this were an out-and-out spoof then this would be less of a problem, but it actually doesn’t go heavy on the gags, meaning that its only half-funny, half-interesting and also only half-scary.

Rated: 3/5

May 11, 2025

Full Review

Tara Ariano

Cracked

The Parenting fizzles as horror and as comedy. And if you’re still considering watching just for the Brian Cox nude scene? Don’t bother. It’s probably a stunt butt.

Rated: C

Apr 18, 2025

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Jackie K. Cooper

jackiekcooper.com

This movie proves that a whole bunch of talented actors can make a somewhat boring film.

Rated: 4/10

Apr 5, 2025

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Audience Member

An extremely weak film that tries to mix horror and comedy but fails at both; not even big names could save it

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/19/25

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Christian T

Ignore the bad reviews, this film is funny as f**k, I have not laughed so much in ages, don't pay attention to the horror label just go into it looking for a comedy

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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Nancy D

This was so funny! Don't listen to the critical reviews, it was a hilarious, I laughed out loud so many times!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/17/25

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Craig K

The movie is kind of cute, but a bit cheesy. Its pretty entertaining, but not really a blockbuster in any sense of the word.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/17/25

Full Review

Audience Member

It was waste of time

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

Full Review

Christian K

While not very inspiring in its production or design, it has its moments. There's a reason horror/comedy is one of the hardest mashups to pull off.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/15/25

Full Review

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Craig Johnson

Director

Brandon Flynn

Josh

Nik Dodani

Rohan

Brian Cox

Frank

Edie Falco

Sharon

Lisa Kudrow

Liddy

The Parenting: Trailer 1

2:14

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Synopsis

A hilariously terrifying comedy, THE PARENTING follows young couple Rohan and Josh as they plan a perfect weekend getaway in the country to introduce their parents. As tensions begin to flare between the more traditional Sharon and Frank and the laid-back Liddy and Cliff, the families soon realize that their rental -- managed by eccentric local Brenda -- is haunted by the presence of a 400-year-old poltergeist. When one parent becomes thoroughly possessed, it's up to the young couple and their meddlesome BFF Sara to unite the families and stop the evil entity once and for all.

Director: Craig Johnson
Producer: Chris Bender, Jake Weiner
Screenwriter: Kent Sublette, Kent Sublette
Distributor: Max
Production Co: New Line Productions, Good Fear Content
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 13, 2025
Runtime: 1h 40m

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