Meet the Parents

Greg is an advertising agent from Chicago who travels to meet Pam's parents and prove he's worthy of her hand. He is well-meaning but deeply anxious, clumsy, and prone to misreading social signals. Throughout the visit, his plans are interrupted by a cascade of escalating mishaps that threaten his relationship and reputation.

Pam is Greg's fiancée who wants to introduce him to her family while balancing love and loyalty. She is torn between keeping Greg's missteps from the family and supporting him as the weekend spirals. Her reactions reveal the tension between personal affection and family expectations.

Irv is Pam's stern, protective father who values reputation and traditional propriety. He initially tries to guide Greg but grows increasingly frustrated as mishaps escalate. His reactions drive the weekend toward a dramatic climax.

Kay is Pam's mother, a moderator of family harmony who tries to smooth tensions. She supports her daughter while navigating Greg's blunders and the family's expectations. Her patience is tested as events spiral out of control.

Fay, Pam's sister, is an aspiring singer and the true marijuana user who inadvertently fuels the weekend's chaos. She seizes the chance to audition for Star Search and pushes her own agenda through Greg's stressed susceptibility. Her actions contribute to the cascade of misunderstandings and tragedy.

Lee is Pam's ex-boyfriend who challenges Greg at the bar and tests Greg's resolve. His hostility toward Greg heightens the weekend's tension and amplifies the stakes of fitting in with the Burns family.

The gas station owner serves as the storyteller who narrates the chain of misadventures, framing the day's events as a cautionary tale for travelers. He interacts with various customers and frames the evening’s moral in a humorous way.

The first customer in the gas station tale listens to the owner's story and adds to the atmosphere of cautionary anecdotes about meeting in-laws.

The second customer is a traveler about to take his children to the circus, providing another layer to the ongoing storytelling frame and reflecting the movie's meta-humor.

A bar patron present during the in-law tension adds to the charged atmosphere and mirrors the brewing conflict surrounding Greg.

A character listed as Fiancé by the credits who appears in scenes around the Burnses' social circle; serves as a device to deepen the dinner-table dynamics and conflict.

A local priest appears in the film, adding a layer of social ritual and moral reflection to the weekend’s chaos.

A hit-and-run driver is involved in a road incident linked to Greg's time in the Burns' car, contributing to the story's escalating chaos.