Mom and Dad

Mom and Dad is a 2017 horror-comedy film directed by Brian Taylor and starring Nicolas Cage, Selma Blair, and Anne Winters. The movie revolves around a family of four - parents Brent (Nicolas Cage) and Kendall (Selma Blair), and their two children, Carly (Anne Winters) and Josh (Zackary Arthur) - living in a suburban area. The family dynamic is strained, with Brent and Kendall having lost the passion in their marriage and the kids struggling with typical teenage problems.

One day, a mysterious and unexplained phenomenon hits the town, causing parents to suddenly and violently turn on their own children. Brent and Kendall are not immune to this, and they become consumed by the urge to harm their own offspring. Carly and Josh are forced to defend themselves against their own parents, who are hell-bent on killing them. The movie follows the family's struggles as they try to survive this bizarre and terrifying event.

The film opens with a small glimpse into the inner lives of the family's members, establishing their individual frustrations and revealing the underlying conflicts that exist between them. Brent is stuck in a mid-life crisis, feeling unfulfilled in his job and resentful towards his wife's successful career. Kendall is struggling with the monotony of being a homemaker and yearns for something more. Carly is a typical teenage girl, dealing with friendship drama and a crush on a boy, while Josh is a young boy who loves playing video games.

The chaos begins when the high school's intercom system comes on, broadcasting a static-filled transmission that causes the parents in the school parking lot to start attacking their own children. Carly and Josh are able to make it home safely, but Brent and Kendall are not. The film's pacing is relentless, with action-packed scenes of violence and terror interspersed with moments of calm and reflection that build tension towards the next moment of chaos.

The performances of the lead actors are a standout feature of the movie. Nicolas Cage delivers an over-the-top and intense portrayal of a man consumed by rage, with characteristic scenery-chewing antics that make his character's violent outbursts all the more terrifying. Selma Blair's performance is equally as impressive, as she shows a range of emotions from manic glee to intense remorse as Kendall struggles to maintain control over her violent impulses.

The movie's cinematography is also worth note, as it employs creative camera angles and filters to heighten the intensity of the action. The use of vibrant colors during the moments of violence adds an almost psychedelic quality to the visual experience. The soundtrack is also well-done, with an energetic and thrilling score that keeps up with the pace of the action.

Overall, Mom and Dad is a solid horror-comedy movie that explores the dark side of parenting and family dynamics. It is a darkly humorous look at the lengths that people will go to protect their own, even when it means turning against them. The film's creative visuals, intense performances, and fast-paced action make it an enjoyable and thrilling cinematic ride. While the plot - parents trying to kill their children - may seem far-fetched, the movie manages to make it work in a way that is both believable and deeply unsettling. Whether you're a fan of horror, comedy, or just enjoy a good thriller, Mom and Dad is definitely worth a watch.