Mom and Dad Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Parents get a mysterious urge to murder their kids, resulting in a hilariously terrifying game of cat and mouse where Nic Cage smashes a pool table with a sledgehammer.

🍿 Mom and Dad: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to the Ryan Family

The film introduces the Ryan family: Brent, a frustrated father; Kendall, a stay-at-home mom longing for her youth; Carly, a rebellious teenager; and Josh, her younger brother. Tensions are high in the household. We see the start of a normal day, which is quickly about to descend into chaos.

The Onset of Hysteria

A strange static signal begins broadcasting across all media, triggering a bizarre and violent reaction in parents. The Ryans’ housekeeper suddenly attacks her own daughter, and a wave of parents descends on Carly’s school, intent on harming their children. This sets the stage for a desperate fight for survival.

Survival and Escape

Carly and her friend Riley attempt to escape the school, but Riley is tragically killed by her own mother. Carly runs home, encountering her boyfriend Damon, who has also been forced to defend himself against his father. Together, they try to protect Josh from the increasingly violent Brent and Kendall.

Home Invasion and Counterattack

Brent and Kendall, now completely consumed by the murderous impulse, return home and relentlessly pursue their children. Carly and Josh manage to barricade themselves in the basement and set up traps to defend themselves. The intensity escalates as the parents try various methods to break in and harm them.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Brent (Nicolas Cage): A frustrated father and husband who succumbs to the homicidal hysteria, turning against his own children.
• Kendall (Selma Blair): A stay-at-home mom experiencing a midlife crisis who is driven to violently attack her kids by a mysterious outbreak.
• Carly (Anne Winters): A teenage daughter who must fight for survival alongside her younger brother when their parents turn murderous.
• Josh (Zackary Arthur): The younger brother who is forced to grow up quickly as he and his sister try to survive their parents’ sudden homicidal urges.
• Damon (Robert T. Cunningham): Carly’s boyfriend who aids her and Josh in their struggle for survival against their parents.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Brent: ““Now the world you kids are living in. The things you’ve seen on the Internet. Mouth to dildo, dildo to ass, ass to ass! Hi, Brent! Anal beads.”” – Brent rants incoherently, showcasing his disconnect from his children’s lives and the modern world as he descends into madness.
• Brent: ““Sawzall saws…all!”” – Brent exclaims nonsensically while wielding a power saw, embracing his homicidal mania with dark humor.
• Brent: ““I used to be Brent… and you used to be Kendall… and now we’re just… Mom and Dad.”” – Brent laments the loss of their individual identities, encapsulating the frustration and resentment that fuels their murderous rage.
• Kendall: ““Kids, we love you…”” – Kendall says this tearfully, before Brent interrupts and finishes the sentence, highlighting the conflict between parental love and homicidal urges.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $7,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $165,962
• Worldwide Gross: $165,962

💥 Mom and Dad Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Mom and Dad’ is wild! I was expecting a ridiculous Nic Cage movie, and it delivered, but in a surprisingly dark way. The pool table scene alone is worth the price of admission. I found myself actually feeling bad for the parents despite them trying to brutally murder their kids. The ending is super abrupt and leaves you hanging, which I both loved and hated. Definitely a conversation starter!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedy horror”
  • “Nicolas Cage enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers looking for a unique and disturbing thriller”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Violence against children”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Nicolas Cage’s unhinged performance is the highlight, but the film ultimately doesn’t take its crazy premise far enough, settling for a more generic home-invasion thriller.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “The film’s enjoyable mold with bold, zany and irreverent style, is crafted similar to Crank films. Nicolas Cage and Selma Blair are well cast in the roles as manic and world-weary parents. Overall the story arc is a bit confusing and disjointed.

Audience Reactions

Nicolas Cage’s over-the-top performance stole the show.: Viewers enjoyed the film’s dark humor and original concept.

Overall Consensus: A polarizing film with an intriguing premise, driven by Nicolas Cage’s manic energy, but ultimately hampered by a lack of explanation and a jarring ending.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Nicolas Cage has stated that ‘Mom and Dad’ is his favorite movie he has filmed in the last 10 years.”
• “The high school scenes were filmed at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky.”
• “Director Brian Taylor is also known for his work on the ‘Crank’ film series, sharing a similar over-the-top and frenetic style.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mom and Dad?

As of October 2024, “Mom and Dad” is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mom and Dad, you might like these similar films:

• The Crazies (2010): Deals with a mysterious virus causing people to turn violently insane, similar to the unexplained hysteria in ‘Mom and Dad’.
• 28 Days Later (2002): Features a rapid spread of rage, creating a chaotic and violent society, mirroring the sudden outbreak of parental aggression.
• You’re Next (2011): A family is trapped in their home and must defend themselves against masked killers, echoing the survival horror elements.
• Crank (2006): Directed by the same director, Brian Taylor, known for its high-octane action and over-the-top style.

🛒 Mom and Dad Related Products

• Nicolas Cage Uncaged: The Collected Interviews: Get an in-depth look into the mind of Nicolas Cage with this collection of interviews, exploring his unique approach to acting and his most memorable roles.
• Selma Blair – Why I Wrote This Book: A Memoir: This is a surprisingly intimate and haunting memoir by the actress Selma Blair. It’s a story of a life built on performance that examines with unflinching honesty beauty and battles with addiction and motherhood.
• Sledge Hammer Heavy Duty Demolition Tool: A heavy duty sledge hammer will give you peace of mind by having a reliable tool to smash things.
• 1000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle, Hysterical Family: This fun jigsaw puzzle will show family moments in a chaotic way.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mom and Dad features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Yesterday when I was Young (Hier Encore)” – performed by Dusty Springfield
• “Mr Bill” – performed by Various Artists

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Mother! – SPOILER Talk! (My Interpretation Of The Movie)

Still trying to wrap your head around “Mother!?” Jeremy Jahns breaks down the film’s symbolism and offers his take on what it all means. Honestly, this video really helped me understand some of the more confusing parts!

✨ Rate