Parents

1989
R
1h 21m

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

8.9K

YOUR RATING

Randy Quaid and Mary Beth Hurt in Parents (1989)

Play trailer1:22

1 Video

32 Photos

Dark Comedy Satire Comedy Horror Mystery

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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

8.9K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 3 nominations

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: 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 reviews114

Review

Featured review

9/10

A truly astounding, horrifying movie

If asked which movie has been the most uncomfortable watch for me, it has to be this one. Bob Balaban has put together a film that encompasses all those dark feelings about our parents. With a beautiful performance from Randy Quaid as the strangest father in the world, it is from the dark place where all great black comedies come from. His dizzying combination of gruesome and mundane is incredibly well crafted, not falling into either one but dancing back and forth between them. I HIGHLY recommend this movie. Strange it comes from the man who played the chummy cartographer in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.