Aahana Swrup
‘The Parenting’ is a horror comedy film in which two families come together for an unexpectedly nightmarish weekend together. Rohan and Josh have been dating for some time now—long enough for the former to be planning for a proposal. Yet, before he can get down on one knee, he and his partner take a getaway trip to an idyllic farmhouse to meet each other’s parents. However, making a good impression becomes the least of their worries once Ro’s father’s erratic behavior reveals that their holiday rental is actually a horror house.
Consequently, despite their differences, the two families must come together to solve the demonic mystery and save their collective skins. Between the central couple’s beloved dog, Kate, and the three Pomeranians that Josh’s mom, Liddy, is babysitting, there is no shortage of furry friends in the narrative. Naturally, these dogs carry a particularly concerning fate within this ghoulish setting where misfortune can befall anyone. SPOILERS AHEAD!
Rohan and Josh’s Kate Effortlessly Pulls Through
On their ride over to the Hazelton Fields farmhouse, Kate is the backseat passenger in Rohan and Josh’s car. Although they had initially planned on leaving their dog back home, the couple inevitably decided to bring her along. This seems only fair, considering the goal of the weekend is for the two men to bring their families together. Therefore, Kate is an obvious addition to the getaway. Still, this last-minute change ends up being overlooked by the designated dog-sitter, Sara, Rohan’s long-time best friend. Inevitably, this opens up the room for the woman, who is already feeling a bit left out, to make an appearance at the farmhouse to join in on the budding spooky fun.
After the first day at the farmhouse—in which Kate makes an arguably unpleasant impression on Rohan’s mother—the second day brings a lot more demonic havoc for the two families. Fortunately for the couple’s dog, she remains out of trouble as most of this unfolds. Throughout Andras’s chaotic possession over Frank, Kate remains blessedly mission from the action. As a result, she survives the demon’s nefarious plans and even the fiery conclusion with ease. Ultimately, as the weekend ends and things settle down, she returns to join her humans and their family. In the end, she returns back home with a recently engaged Ro and Josh.
Two Out of the Three Pomeranians Survive Andras’ Reign of Terror
For the getaway, Josh’s mom, Liddy, ends up bringing her friend, Karen’s three Pomeranians along. It’s clear that this is done as a favor to a friend, most evidently because the woman can’t even remember the names of the dogs. In fact, she resorts to referring to them as Frick, Frack, and Fuck at one point. Unlike Kate, these dogs make their presence known throughout the story. Their meek, vulnerable selves are around on the second day of the weekend when the families begin their morning with a shared breakfast. Despite Ro’s best attempts to keep things smooth sailing, the meal ends up getting ruined once Frank goes a bit off the rails.
After slashing at Josh’s arm with a near-lethal bread knife, Frank lets out a demonic bellow that is strong enough to dislodge the china cabinet in the dining room. Unfortunately, the cabinet falls right on top of one of the Pomeranians, sealing its demise. Afterward, Liddy confirms the dog’s death as she stows its remains in a shoebox and wonders how she will break the tragic news to her friend. Shortly afterward, another one of the canines falls victim to Frank’s demonic displays.
Post-breakfast, a freshly nude Frank joins the family in the sitting room—much to their horror and amusement. During this time, he hurls a few insults, mostly at Josh, before throwing up all over the place. One of the Pomeranians is unfortunate enough to become a bit too curious about his throw-up. As a result, some ill-advised licking jumpstarts the dog’s transformation into a creature from hell. This pays off a little way down the road when the two families have finally figured out Frank’s predicament as Andras’ host. Consequently, after hours of chaos and inexplicable horrors, they wait for the arrival of a snow plow to make their escape. Thus, the demonic Pomeranian strikes when the two moms, Liddy and Sharon, take a moment of respite in the kitchen.
It attacks Liddy, gripping onto her arm in all its feral glory. Nonetheless, it meets its match in Cliff, who wrestles off the dog in a no-holds-barred tussle. Eventually, once Liddy’s hand is freed, the man wraps the demon dog in a towel and hammers it to death. In the aftermath, Sara disposes of the gruesome remains by depositing them in the oven—out of sight and out of mind. Nonetheless, as it turns out, the bludgeoning hadn’t been the end for the dog. In the end, after the two families have successfully banished Andras to his hellish realm, the direct influences of his possessions are reversed. As a result, the previously demonic—and dead—Pomeranian is able to walk out of the oven easily, alive and unharmed. Ultimately, out of Frick, Frack, and Fuck, two dogs manage to survive the weekend.
Read More: The Parenting Ending, Explained
