Talking Demonic Dogs, Dysfunctional Family Gatherings, and “Crazy Noodles” Projectile Vomiting with the Cast and Crew of THE PARENTING

I get it, there's a lot to keep up with these days whether it's at the theater, on television, or deep within the seemingly endless options on countless streaming services. But there is only one movie in particular that is available to watch right now that has demonic dogs, a family gathering gone horribly wrong for a young couple introducing their parents to one another, and "crazy noodles" projectile vomiting that had me laughing and gagging at the same time. I'm talking about The Parenting, and I feel like it's flying under the radar way more than any film that has Parker Posey as the quirky host of a rental house and a shoutout to the final episode of M*A*S*H has any right to. The Parenting is now streaming on Max, and it truly does have something for the entire family (as long as they're old enough to engage with the movie's R rating, which it definitely earns through both hilarity and horror).

I may be somewhat biased, as director Craig Johnson is responsible for one of my favorite films of the 2010s, the underrated The Skeleton Twins (which is overdue for rediscovery), but there's no denying (at least in my mind) that The Parenting is as inclusive as it is relatable, as funny as it is frightful, and as heartfelt as it is heartbreaking. In short, it's exactly the kind of movie I needed right now, and I had such a great time talking with the film's cast and crew, including Nik Dodani, Brandon Flynn, Vivian Bang, Dean Norris, director Craig Johnson, and writer Kent Sublette.

If you haven't seen The Parenting yet, I hope these spoiler-free interviews sway you to take the time to enjoy this unique take on possession, exorcism, and (as Huey Lewis might say) the power of love as much as I did. Besides, how else are you going to learn how to make your own "crazy noodles"?

"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."

Cast: Nik Dodani (Rohan), Brandon Flynn (Josh), Brian Cox (Frank), Edie Falco (Sharon), Lisa Kudrow (Liddy), Dean Norris (Cliff), Parker Posey (Brenda), Vivian Bang (Sara), and others.

Credits: Directed by Craig Johnson; written by Kent Sublette; produced by Chris Bender and Jake Weiner; executive producers Richard Brener, Chris Pan, David Neustadter, and Jared Ian Goldman.