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The Parenting (2025) is a horror-comedy that satirizes modern family dynamics through the lens of a vampire infestation. Directed by Craig Johnson, the film follows two gay dads attempting to introduce their respective families to each other during a weekend getaway—only to discover the house is haunted by something ancient and thirsty.
Smart, irreverent, and loaded with sharp social commentary, The Parenting blends domestic awkwardness with blood-splattered absurdity.
Plot Summary
Rohan and Josh are a newly engaged couple eager for their families to finally meet. They rent a remote house in the woods for a weekend retreat, hoping to keep things light, inclusive, and full of love. But when their teenage kids begin to act strangely and a local historian drops some unsettling truths about the property’s past, tensions rise.
It soon becomes clear that the estate was once home to a vampiric cult—and it may not be as abandoned as they thought. As the two families bond over horror and hilarity, blood starts to flow, and the line between family drama and survival comedy gets delightfully blurred.
Character Analysis
Rohan (Nik Dodani)
Charismatic and neurotic, Rohan is the glue between both families, constantly trying to control the narrative while barely keeping it together.
Josh (Brandon Flynn)
The more laid-back half of the couple, Josh's sarcasm hides his anxiety about parental approval and whether their families will blend—or explode.
Grandpa Cliff (Brian Cox)
A crusty, wine-loving traditionalist who unknowingly becomes the film’s most unlikely vampire hunter. Scene-stealing and hilariously grumpy.
Lena (Kaitlyn Dever)
The goth teen daughter who’s oddly *too* comfortable with the haunting. Her arc is a sneaky metaphor about autonomy and adolescence.
Themes and Messages
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Blended Families | The film humorously explores how modern families navigate new dynamics, especially in same-sex parenting. |
| Acceptance | Each character must confront their biases—whether supernatural or social—in order to survive and grow. |
| Generational Conflict | The elders and teens butt heads often, but end up learning from each other in hilarious, and sometimes violent, ways. |
| Hidden Histories | The house’s past serves as a metaphor for secrets families keep and the cost of ignoring them. |
Cinematography and Direction
Craig Johnson balances family sitcom energy with horror camp aesthetics. Scenes alternate between warm lighting for family bonding and gothic shadows for the vampire elements. The contrast is intentionally jarring, heightening the comedy while giving the horror segments real bite.
Quick cuts during chaotic family dinner scenes mirror classic comedy pacing, while slow, suspenseful pans through the old mansion recall '80s horror flicks. The use of practical effects for the vampires adds to the film’s charm.
Performances
Nik Dodani: Delivers heart, humor, and hysteria in a standout comedic role that never becomes caricature.
Brandon Flynn: Grounded and witty, providing a perfect emotional counterbalance to Dodani's nervous energy.
Brian Cox: Steals every scene he's in, embracing the absurdity of vampire-slaying with dry brilliance.
Kaitlyn Dever: Plays deadpan horror-fangirl teen with layered nuance and unexpected emotional resonance.
Critical Reception
The Parenting received praise at SXSW for its originality and genre-blending fun. Critics called it “Meet the Parents with fangs,” noting its smart script and unexpected heart beneath the gore. Some traditional horror fans found it too light, while comedy fans embraced its bloody absurdity.
Controversial Opinions
Some audiences debated whether the satire went far enough. While praised for LGBTQ+ representation, a few critics felt the film leaned too heavily into stereotypes for laughs. Others argued the campy horror diluted the emotional core. Still, many appreciated that the film never took itself too seriously—and didn’t ask the audience to either.
FAQs
- Is The Parenting (2025) a straight-up horror movie?
Nope, it’s more of a horror-comedy that leans into satire and family dysfunction. - Is it scary?
It's more creepy than terrifying, with jump scares played for laughs rather than dread. - Is the LGBTQ+ representation authentic?
Yes! The story centers around a queer couple without making their identity the