Parents (1989)

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Ratings & comments

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Young Michael (Bryan Madorsky) begins to suspect that his parents (Randy Quaid, Mary Beth Hurt) are murderous cannibals.

This is a clever piece of film-making, evocative of the small world of childhood, the lack of control and lack of understanding. As the film is from Michael's perspective it is unclear whether the camera is truly a reliable narrator, even as it turns much more to murderous horror. (Is Michael the crazy one?)

While I admire the effect, I loathe dream sequences and this film feels like an extended one created as a piece of cleverness rather than, as I generally prefer, interest in its characters. More intellectually than emotionally satisfying.

- Sam - 2025-11-11 21:07:52