The newly released trailer for The Parenting features a fresh addition from the Friends ensemble dealing with a ghostly mansion, following the discontinuation of Courteney Cox’s Starz horror-comedy Shining Vale. This forthcoming horror-comedy film, exclusively available on Max, centers around a couple, Rohan (Nick Dodani) and Josh (Brandon Flynn), who arrange a meeting for their families in an isolated estate, only to discover that the residence is plagued by a malevolent spirit. The film’s impressive cast includes notable names such as Lisa Kudrow, Dean Norris, Parker Posey, Edie Falco, and Brian Cox.
Max has recently unveiled the official trailer for The Parenting. The preview emphasizes the comedic interactions among the cast members, including a scene where Gerald, played by Cox, accidentally drops his towel, a chaotic confrontation with a possibly demon-infested dog, and a piece of dialogue that draws an analogy between enduring extended family gatherings and surviving a horror scenario. The trailer is available for viewing below:
What This Means For The Parenting
Its Shining Vale Connections Are Uncanny
Although a third season of Shining Vale was never produced, The Parenting somewhat serves as its spiritual successor. Besides sharing a horror-comedy genre with a haunted house theme featuring a former Friends star, there are several similar elements. These include the utilization of haunted house motifs as metaphors to highlight the flaws in dysfunctional family relationships, a focus on humor over terror, and even a nod to Stephen King’s iconic ghost tale The Shining in its title.
Shining Vale featured Courteney Cox as a writer who moves her family to a new home in an attempt to mend her marriage, only to be left uncertain if she’s experiencing hauntings or if her depression is taking on new forms.
Yet, The Parenting distinguishes itself from Shining Vale in several key aspects. Notably, Lisa Kudrow (recently seen in Netflix’s No Good Deed) does not play the leading role. Instead, Rohan and Josh serve as the focal points, connecting the diverse ensemble cast and facilitating a broader narrative scope. Furthermore, unlike the Starz series, which leaned towards drama, the Max film primarily aims for broad comedic appeal.
Our Take On The Parenting Trailer
Max Could Benefit From The Projects’ Similarities
While the new movie introduces a significant dose of romantic comedy elements to the existing mix of genres, the divergence from the cancelled series does not undermine its potential as a successor. The Parenting could effectively follow a binge of Shining Vale‘s two seasons. This timing might be strategic, given Max’s acquisition of the Courteney Cox series after its removal by Starz, making it available in their catalog since the start of the year.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
