Ritesh Sharma
Directed by Craig Johnson, Max’s ‘The Parenting’ is a comedy horror film that blends family dysfunction with supernatural chaos, creating a wild and unpredictable ride. The story centers on Rohan (Nik Dodani) and Josh (Brandon Flynn), a young gay couple who invite their parents for a weekend retreat. What starts as an awkward bonding experience soon turns into a nightmare when they discover an ancient evil lurking in their vacation home. The film thrives on its setting as every shadow feels alive, and every creak in the floorboards adds tension.
The cozy getaway transforms into a claustrophobic trap, making the family’s dysfunction even sharper. From dimly lit corridors to eerie open spaces, the environment shapes the story as much as the characters. It’s a place that promises relaxation but delivers pure terror. Dark humor and chilling suspense collide, making ‘The Parenting’ an unpredictable experience. Just when you think you have figured it out, it flips the script. It’s about family, fear, and the unexpected horrors of a weekend gone horribly wrong.
The Parenting Filming Locations
The filming for ‘The Parenting’ took place entirely in Massachusetts, with Worcester City and a few other areas providing the perfect backdrop for its eerie yet comedic tone. The cast shared an undeniable camaraderie, bringing infectious energy to the set. From playful scares between takes to spontaneous bursts of laughter, their chemistry translated effortlessly onto the screen and elevated the film’s dynamic. Production officially began on March 19, 2022, running on a tight yet well-planned schedule. In just two months, on May 20, the team wrapped up filming and provided a testament to their efficiency and dedication. Every scene was carefully crafted, ensuring that both the frights and the laughs landed with equal impact.
Massachusetts
The eerie charm of ‘The Parenting’ is brought to life through the rich and varied landscapes of Massachusetts, a state that has become an increasingly attractive destination for filmmakers. With its blend of historic architecture, lush greenery, and cutting-edge studio facilities, Massachusetts offered an ideal backdrop for the film’s distinctive combination of horror and comedy. The production team took full advantage of the diverse settings available, wrapping up filming within a few months while ensuring that each location contributed meaningfully to the film’s immersive atmosphere. From grand urban landmarks to secluded parks and high-tech soundstages, every choice of setting helped shape the movie’s unique visual style and tonal balance.
One of the most visually striking locations the film features is Doyle Community Park in Leominster. Spanning over 170 acres, this sprawling green space boasts an array of landscapes, from densely wooded trails to open meadows and serene wetlands. The park’s vastness and relative seclusion created an eerie ambiance perfect for key outdoor sequences. The interplay between its natural beauty and the film’s underlying tension proved enough to heighten the audience’s sense of unease while providing a stark contrast to the more structured, urban settings used in other scenes. The towering trees and winding pathways lent themselves naturally to moments of suspense, with shadows shifting unpredictably and nature itself becoming a silent observer of the unfolding events.
The city of Worcester in Central Massachusetts played a crucial role in shaping the film’s aesthetic. Known for its deep-rooted history and rich architectural heritage, its blend of vintage and contemporary elements provided a textured backdrop that enhanced the movie’s visual appeal. Union Station, one of Worcester’s most recognizable landmarks, was particularly instrumental in setting the tone for several pivotal scenes. Dating back to the early 20th century, the station’s Beaux-Arts architecture, featuring grand arches and intricate detailing, lent the film a sense of timeless elegance and cinematic grandeur. The sight of police cars lined up at the station’s entrance in key moments reinforced a sense of foreboding, subtly weaving tension into the fabric of the story.
Additionally, Worcester’s cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and atmospheric alleyways added depth to the film’s world and enabled the team to come up with a uniquely crafted setting. For controlled indoor environments and complex set designs, the production team turned to New England Studios at 100 Studio Way in Devens. This state-of-the-art facility, one of the most advanced in the region, provided the necessary resources to construct intricate interior sets while ensuring optimal sound and lighting conditions. Spanning over 72,000 square feet across four massive sound stages, the studio offered filmmakers unparalleled flexibility. Each stage, equipped with high ceilings, aerial catwalks, and NC25-rated soundproofing, allowed for meticulous scene execution with pristine audio capture.
Beyond the stages themselves, the complex featured fully furnished production offices, spacious dressing rooms, and dedicated hair-and-makeup suites, ensuring a smooth workflow for the cast and crew. The studio’s nailable floors facilitated efficient set construction, while its large loading docks and elephant doors streamlined the transportation of heavy equipment and elaborate set pieces. This combination of technical sophistication and logistical convenience played a vital role in bringing the film’s vision to life.
Massachusetts has steadily grown into a preferred filming destination, thanks in large part to its generous tax incentives and unparalleled location diversity. The state offers a transferable tax credit system, which includes a 25% production credit, a 25% payroll credit, and a sales tax exemption, making it an economically viable choice for major productions. With minimal spending requirements and a 90% cash-out option, Massachusetts has positioned itself as a competitive alternative to traditional filmmaking hubs. Beyond its financial benefits, the state’s historic towns, scenic coastlines, rolling hills, and urban landscapes provide a varied palette for filmmakers to explore. The presence of renowned institutions, such as the Massachusetts Film Office, further bolsters the state’s appeal by assisting with location scouting, permitting, and logistical support.
The seamless integration of Worcester’s historical depth, Leominster’s natural beauty, and Devens’ cutting-edge studio capabilities made Massachusetts an essential part of ‘The Parenting.’ Every location was carefully selected not just for its aesthetic appeal but for its ability to enhance the film’s eerie yet comedic energy. The juxtaposition of vast open landscapes with enclosed, controlled environments allowed the filmmakers to craft a layered narrative experience, where setting and story became intricately intertwined. Through this careful curation of locations, ‘The Parenting’ exemplifies how a well-chosen backdrop can elevate a film’s storytelling, proving that a movie’s setting is just as crucial as the narrative itself.
