HBO’s horror flick The Parenting aired on March 13th and viewers have a split opinion on the film.
A horror-comedy, the movie follows a young couple who bring their parents along for a weekend getaway, only to discover that their vacation rental is haunted.
The film, produced by New Line Cinema and distributed by HBO, explores supernatural elements with family dynamics, while also being funny.
The story revolves around a same-sex couple who plan a retreat to introduce their families to one another.
However, their trip is less than idyllic when they realise the house they rented has a dark and ghostly past.
Between the parents and the couple, they must all work together to survive the eerie forces within the home.
The film is written by Kent Sublette, a former writer for Saturday Night Live.
It is directed by Craig Johnson, known for The Skeleton Twins and Alex Strangelove.
The cast includes Parker Posey, Brian Cox, Edie Falco, and Lisa Kudrow.
However, fans have shared their mixed reactions to the film online. Among the positive comments, One Reddit user posted: “It’s comedy horror that gave me some good belly laughs, and the actors who play the parents are fantastic. Bonus points for a nutso Parker Posey appearance.
“I recommend it for a giggle.”
Another person chimed in: “Enjoyed the heck out of it! I laughed every time Dean Norris was on screen. The whole cast was hilarious. And I was genuinely creeped out when the source of the banging sound was first revealed.”
A third viewer wrote: “Surprisingly funny! The trailer made it seem much more serious than it actually was. Fun suspenseful watch. Solid 7/10.”
A fourth person penned: “The Parenting premieres March 13 on Max and I was able to catch it early… and I was pleasantly surprised!
They continued: “It stands out by how it transforms family chaos into an engaging spectacle, amplified by a cast at the top of their game – Brian Cox is a gem.
“The interactions between characters crackle with energy and authenticity, making the conflicts, misunderstandings, and even the most absurd moments feel both believable and hilarious.
An outstandingly relatable flick that, while not reinventing the genre, finds its own charm through an honest portrayal of family relationships – imperfect, tense, but ultimately held together by love.”
However, one person disagreed saying: “I was disappointed. It had such a killer cast and a lot of funny jokes but the movie itself just came up short and feels largely forgettable. It’s a shame too because possessed Brian Cox was hilarious.”
A second said: “I hated the bad CGI, but holy shit Lisa Kudrow was so funny. And Parker Posey. Well, the whole cast was awesome.”
A third person added: “This movie is such trash I had to finish it. (At least someone finally told the Americans). The Parenting: 2025.”