Father Hood

Father Hood

Year: 1993

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: Darrell James Roodt

FamilyActionComedy

A deadbeat father, listed as America’s most wanted dad, snatches his children from a school bus destined for a harsh foster home. On the run, they’re pursued by police while the kids argue nonstop and his bleak escape plan unfolds, but the perilous journey may finally bind them into a real family.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Father Hood yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Father Hood (1993)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Father Hood (1993). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 2000s to mid-2010s

The movie spans over a decade, capturing contemporary life and evolving family dynamics during this period. Technological and social changes are subtly reflected through events like the use of smartphones, social media, and modern parenting challenges. The time frame grounds the story in a relatable, recent era, emphasizing family resilience.

Location

Los Angeles, Minnesota, Croatia

The movie takes place primarily in Los Angeles, where Matt lives and works, showcasing a bustling urban environment. It also features scenes in Minnesota, highlighting family and community life in a quieter, more suburban setting. The Croatia scenes emphasize an international workplace, reflecting the global reach of Matt's job and the film's themes of change and growth.

🌆 Urban 🌄 Rural 🌍 International

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:46

Main Characters – Father Hood (1993)

Meet the key characters of Father Hood (1993), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kathleen Mercer (Halle Berry)

A dedicated mother navigating the emotional aftermath of her early loss and her relationship with her daughter. She embodies resilience, warmth, and maternal strength, continuously working to support her child and herself amidst life's challenges.

💪 Resilient ❤️ Nurturing 👩‍👧 Mother

Jerry (Michael Ironside)

A tough, straightforward character who provides support and perspective. His presence adds a practical, no-nonsense attitude to the story, often helping Matt handle difficult situations with wisdom and experience.

🤝 Supportive 💼 Practical 🎖️ Wise

Jack Charles (Patrick Swayze)

A caring, experienced figure offering guidance and stability. His interactions with Matt and Maddy highlight themes of family, mentorship, and moving forward after loss.

👔 Mentor 🧓 Wise 🤗 Supportive

Maddy (Melody Hurd)

A young girl navigating her identity and family circumstances with innocence and strength. Her interactions reflect childhood resilience and the importance of supportive relationships.

🎒 Child 🌟 Brave 💖 Loving

Liz (Deborah Ayorinde)

The late mother whose memory influences Matt’s emotional journey. Her presence in flashbacks represents love, loss, and hope for continuity.

💞 Loving 🦋 Memorable 🌠 Inspiration

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:46

Major Themes – Father Hood (1993)

Explore the central themes of Father Hood (1993), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧸 Parenthood

The film explores the challenges and rewards of single parenting, emphasizing emotional resilience, unconditional love, and the importance of support networks. Matt’s journey highlights personal growth and the struggles of balancing work, grief, and raising a child alone. It underscores that parenthood is both difficult and profoundly meaningful.

🌧️ Grief and Healing

Central to the story is the process of mourning Liz’s loss and finding ways to heal. The movie portrays grief as a complex, ongoing journey that affects every aspect of life. Through support from friends and family, Matt learns to cope and embrace hope for the future.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:46

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Road Trip Redemption stories like Father Hood

Flawed characters find purpose and connection through a perilous journey together.If you enjoyed the on-the-run journey and family bonding in Father Hood, explore more movies where a physical trip leads to emotional redemption. These films feature flawed characters who find hope and purpose while traveling together, often escaping a difficult past.

heartwarminghopefultransformativeon the runfamily bondingemotional journeyuplifting

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically begin with a crisis that forces a mismatched group—often family—onto a journey. The central conflict shifts from external pursuit to internal growth, as arguments and clashes gradually give way to understanding and a forged, stronger bond by the journey's end.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their core structure of a redemptive physical journey. They share a hopeful, steady-paced tone where the destination is less important than the characters' transformation, blending medium-intensity peril with heartfelt, uplifting emotional payoffs.

Movies about families forged in crisis like Father Hood

Families are made, not born, through shared adversity and tough love.Fans of Father Hood's story of a dad and kids bonding on the run will love these movies about families created through adversity. Discover similar tales where difficult circumstances force characters to rely on each other, leading to heartwarming found family connections.

found familyheartwarminganxiousupliftingtenderparent-child bondinghopefulpersonal growth

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a reluctant guardian and initially resistant children or companions being forced together by external danger or circumstance. The story arc focuses on moving from selfish survival to selfless protection, where the shared crisis becomes the catalyst for building genuine, lasting familial bonds.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups movies by the central theme of 'found family' emerging from crisis. They share a specific emotional mix: starting with anxiety and conflict, moving through tender moments, and culminating in a heartwarming, hopeful resolution that affirms the new family unit.

Unlock the Full Story of Father Hood

Don't stop at just watching — explore Father Hood in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Father Hood is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Father Hood Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Father Hood, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Father Hood Summary

Father Hood Timeline

Track the full timeline of Father Hood with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Father Hood Timeline

Father Hood Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Father Hood that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Father Hood Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Father Hood

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Father Hood: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Father Hood

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Discover movies like Father Hood that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.