REVIEW: ‘The Parenting’ Is Saved By Outsized Star Power

The Parenting, a Max Original directed by Craig Johnson and written by Kent Sublette, has some fantastic star power, but overall, it isn’t anything all that different from other young adult horror comedies. It’s about a couple, Rohan (Nik Dodani) and Josh (Brandon Flynn), who book a remote home rental for their parents to meet over a weekend. Only, the house turns out to be haunted, and a demon who killed several children and their mother in the ‘80s is trying to escape with the help of Parker Posey.

While most of the movie is trite and predictable, covering only the absolute basics of its genres, the movie still gets by on its outsized star power and the excellent acting chops they bring. Posey is only the opening salvo. Josh’s parents are played by Lisa Kudrow and Dean Norris while Brian Cox and Edie Falco play Rohan’s. Vivian Bang rounds out the cast as Sara, who crashes the weekend after getting an SOS from Josh.

Rohan’s parents are high-strung, particular, and overbearing. Josh’s are laid-back and average. The obvious arguments and misunderstandings ensue between the two families. Rohan and Josh, in particular, are pushed to their limits. Given how poorly they communicate, they don’t come across as a couple madly in love or particularly right for each other. Ultimately, they’re not what drives this movie; their parents are. And particularly their acting chops.

Kudrow and Falco are playing to extremes. Falco is tense to the point where her character is on the brink of ruining the whole movie with her disdain for Josh and his family. It’s a totally crass character who is deeply unlikable. Kudrow, on the other hand, is playing somewhere impressively between tactically quiet and oblivious. It’s hard to tell from time to time which end she’s on, making her one of the subtly funniest parts of the movie.

The performances in The Parenting carry the movie beyond its typical characters.

But the absolute standout performance in The Parenting is from Brian Cox. He does a phenomenal job switching between an aloof and absent-minded father and a version of himself who is possessed by the demon. The seriousness with which he takes his work in this movie is remarkable. Every scene is played to the rafters in the best of ways. And when caught in between, he delivers a third, impactful version of his character that is broken and remorseful. It’s much more impressive than the rest of the film deserves.

Visually, it’s tough. The set is decorated decently, but the CGI when the house is first revealed to be haunted is laughable. The way the scene is animated is awkward, and it is not great to look at the way it moves and looks. The various costumes Posey wears are at least knowingly ridiculous, and the demon, once revealed, doesn’t look so bad.

If The Parenting weren’t so simplistic, it would be easier to recommend. As it is, however, it takes quite a bit before the film is even decent. The characters are so flat and basic as to be frustrating. Every argument and story beat is seen coming from a mile away, and it takes until halfway through the movie for any possessing to begin. The characters aren’t interesting enough to warrant as much time with their squabbling as it takes to get to the thick of the action.

Once it’s there, things do start happening that could qualify as unexpected. The Parenting reaches a level of vulgarity that never feels offensive but is shocking, especially considering whose mouths some phrases start to come out of. While a bit of a reach, these moments do add some flavor to an otherwise bland affair. They also allow the superstar actors to show off some of their best efforts of the movie.

Don’t expect too much from The Parenting as far as characters or plot, but if you’re looking to be mildly entertained watching star actors give an outsized effort, this movie has it in spades.

The Parenting streams on MAX, formerly HBO Max March 13th.