“I Love My Dad”: A Cringe Comedy That Blurs the Line Between Wholesome adn Disturbing
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Patton Oswalt stars as Chuck, an absent father determined to re-enter the life of his son, Franklin (James Morosini). Having repeatedly proven himself an “incompetent dad,” Chuck concocts a scheme to connect with Franklin by creating a fake social media profile posing as “Becca” (Claudia Sulewski), a young woman living in Franklin’s town. Despite warnings from his coworker, Jimmy (Lil Rel Howery), Chuck initiates contact, and a connection quickly forms.
Franklin, struggling with confidence issues stemming from his strained relationship with his father, is seeing a therapist (Ricky Pak). Unaware he’s being catfished by his own father, he falls for Becca, and their online relationship rapidly escalates, fueled by intimate text exchanges orchestrated by Chuck with the help of Erica (Rachel Dratch).
The Lie Unravels
The situation spirals out of control when franklin decides to meet Becca in person. Chuck is forced to maintain the charade, sharing motel rooms with his son while desperately trying to keep the lie alive, hoping it will somehow mend their fractured bond.
This escalating deception is where the film truly shines-and makes audiences squirm. As the narrative unfolds, a strange layer of “wholesomeness” emerges, making the premise even more unsettling. When Franklin opens up to Becca, he vividly imagines her presence, sharing past traumas and intimate moments. This highlights the depth of his emotional investment in someone who doesn’t exist, and who is, in reality, his father.
Comedy and Cringe collide
Some of the film’s most humorous moments come from Chuck’s internal struggle as he processes these conversations. Knowing he’s texting from the next room, and that the real Becca is oblivious to Franklin’s existence, he visibly squirms as he imagines his son’s affections directed toward him. “Watching him squirm as he imagines his son kissing him while he types replies is comedy gold, even though you instantly regret laughing,” one critic observed.
Like the film Mrs. Doubtfire, “I Love My Dad” explores how good intentions can morph into manipulative behavior. Despite the ethical implications, Chuck continues to encourage Franklin to pursue the relationship, believing it’s helping his son gain confidence.This forces him to perpetuate the scam, even as the real Becca unknowingly lives nearby.
A Complex Exploration of Family
“I Love My Dad” isn’t simply a “cruel exercise in cringe comedy.” It’s a surprisingly poignant look at the lengths people will go to for family. While audiences may sympathize with Chuck’s desperation, the emotional damage he inflicts makes it difficult to root for him. Franklin, portrayed as a “gentle, eager kid,” is undeserving of such manipulation.The happiness he derives from his connection with Becca is heartbreaking, knowing it’s built on a foundation of lies.
The film’s brilliance lies in its ability to make viewers momentarily believe in the romance, only to be jolted back to reality by the disturbing truth. As one viewer put it, it’s easy to momentarily forget that Franklin is essentially “cyber-diddling his dad.”
Balancing the uncomfortable with the unexpectedly heartwarming, “I Love My Dad” is a film that elicits both laughter and gasps. If you’re prepared to witness Chuck push this lie to its breaking point, you can stream it now on Hulu.
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