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Parents

  • 1989
  • R
  • 1h 21m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
8.5K
YOUR RATING
Randy Quaid and Mary Beth Hurt in Parents (1989)
Trailer for Parents
Play trailer1:22
1 Video
32 Photos
ComedyHorrorMystery

A young boy living in 1950s suburbia suspects that his parents are cannibalistic murderers.A young boy living in 1950s suburbia suspects that his parents are cannibalistic murderers.A young boy living in 1950s suburbia suspects that his parents are cannibalistic murderers.

  • Director
    • Bob Balaban
  • Writer
    • Christopher Hawthorne
  • Stars
    • Randy Quaid
    • Mary Beth Hurt
    • Sandy Dennis
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    8.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Bob Balaban
    • Writer
      • Christopher Hawthorne
    • Stars
      • Randy Quaid
      • Mary Beth Hurt
      • Sandy Dennis
    • 115User reviews
    • 65Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations

    Videos1

    Parents
    Trailer 1:22
    Watch Parents

    Photos32

    Randy Quaid and Mary Beth Hurt in Parents (1989)
    Randy Quaid and Mary Beth Hurt in Parents (1989)
    Bryan Madorsky in Parents (1989)
    Randy Quaid and Mary Beth Hurt in Parents (1989)
    Parents (1989)
    Bryan Madorsky in Parents (1989)
    Parents (1989)
    Randy Quaid and Bryan Madorsky in Parents (1989)
    Parents (1989)
    Bryan Madorsky in Parents (1989)
    Randy Quaid in Parents (1989)
    Mary Beth Hurt, Sandy Dennis, and Bryan Madorsky in Parents (1989)

    Cast

    Edit
    Randy Quaid
    Randy Quaid
    • Nick Laemle
    Mary Beth Hurt
    Mary Beth Hurt
    • Lily Laemle
    Sandy Dennis
    Sandy Dennis
    • Millie Dew
    Bryan Madorsky
    Bryan Madorsky
    • Michael Laemle
    London Juno
    • Sheila Zellner
    • (as Juno Mills-Cockell)
    Kathryn Grody
    Kathryn Grody
    • Miss Baxter
    Deborah Rush
    Deborah Rush
    • Mrs. Zellner
    Graham Jarvis
    Graham Jarvis
    • Mr. Zellner
    Helen Carscallen
    • Grandmother
    Warren Van Evera
    • Grandfather
    • Director
      • Bob Balaban
    • Writer
      • Christopher Hawthorne
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film's appropriately-bizarre title for its Germany release was 'Daddy ist ein Kannibale', or 'Daddy is a Cannibal!'
    • Goofs
      When Nick Laemle slaps the cinder-block basement wall, it visibly flexes.
    • Quotes

      Lab Attendant: I have here an opportunity--

      [holds out a pen to Michael]

      Lab Attendant: this pen is made of chemicals, but if I took these same chemicals and recombined them, I could make an automobile, or an electric light! The whole world is made of chemicals, Michael--you can make anything! And if you're smart... you'll make opportunities.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Physical Evidence/Parents/Gone with the Wind (50th Anniversary)/The Dressmaker (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White
      (Cerisier Rose et Pommier Blanc)

      Music by Louiguy

      French lyrics by Jacques Larue

      English lyrics by Mack David

      Performed by Dámaso Pérez Prado

    User reviews115

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    A Surreal Experience That's Not For Everyone
    I had never heard of this movie before, and it looked like it had the same sort of weird zany surrealism as Society, which I massively enjoyed. What I was not expecting was how much darker in tone this film was going to be, and how massively uncomfortable it can be at times with some of the thematic undertones.

    It taps into the inherent surreal nature of 1950's idyllic suburbia and builds wonderfully off of that horror, as well as delving into the true horror of being stuck in the same house as people who might want to hurt you. While there was a lot that just didn't hit and some spots where I felt the movie lacked, overall I found the movie to be interesting and kind of fun.

    This movie is definitely not for everyone and is bound to disappoint quite a few horror fans, but for those that like surrealism in the vein of Society, this is definitely worth the watch. It's a solid movie and even if it's not the best out there, it has some merit as a film and some solid thematic undertones.
    helpful•4
    0
    • illyriashade56
    • Oct 29, 2021

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Parents?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 27, 1989 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Canada
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Pfui Teufel! - Daddy ist ein Kannibale
    • Filming locations
      • Kelly Gulch - 1801 N. Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Topanga, California, USA(Grandparent's cabin)
    • Production companies
      • Great American Films Limited Partnership
      • Vestron Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $870,532
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $277,952
      • Jan 29, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $870,532
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 21 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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