Parents

Parents

Year: 1989

Runtime: 81 min

Language: Danish

Budget: $3M

MysteryHorrorComedy

When their adult son leaves home, Kjeld and Vibeke are consumed by a profound sense of loss. Attempting to rekindle the excitement of their younger years, they revisit their former student flat, the place where their romance began. However, their nostalgic journey unexpectedly unearths painful memories and confronts them with the complexities of their past relationship.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Parents 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 – Parents (1989)

Trace every key event in Parents (1989) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Family relocates to a California suburb

In 1958, the Laemle family moves from Massachusetts to a suburban neighborhood in California. The new environment promises a fresh start, but the move unsettles young Michael. The transition foreshadows the isolation and strain that will shape the rest of the story.

1958 Massachusetts to Californian suburban neighborhood
2

Michael struggles at school

Michael's social awkwardness makes it hard to fit in at his new school. He feels isolated and unsettled as his peers avoid him. The mounting pressure of school life compounds his fragile imagination and fear.

early in the school year, 1958 School, California
3

Disturbing dreams haunt Michael

Michael experiences vivid, disturbing dreams, including one where he jumps into bed and it collapses into a pool of blood. The nightmare blurs the line between sleep and reality, deepening his sense of dread. These dreams hint at a darker truth about his new home.

nights Bedroom
4

Awareness of parental secrets and Nick's work

Michael is traumatized after witnessing his parents having sex and misinterpreting it as biting. He also learns that his father is working at Toxico, developing a chemical defoliant, adding another layer of danger. The combination of private terrors and public secrets pushes him toward believing his parents are cannibals.

early period after the move Home; Division of Human Testing at Toxico
5

Basement disquiet: meat hook suspicions

Michael's fear deepens when he discovers (or dreams) dismembered body parts hanging on a meat hook in the basement. He becomes convinced his parents are cannibals. His paranoia isolates him from family and school even further.

evening after the move Basement
6

Millie Dew visits home and uncovers a corpse

Millie Dew, the school guidance counselor, accompanies Michael to his home to console him and prove he's imagining things. Together they find a corpse in the basement. Millie is killed after being forced into the pantry.

afternoon/early evening Michael's home
7

Michael confronts his father

When Nick and Lily return, Michael attacks his father in a fit of fear and defiance. The confrontation marks a turning point as violence erupts inside the house. Michael's belief in his parents' cannibalism intensifies the danger.

evening House
8

Nick's deadly dinner attempt

Nick tries to feed Michael human meat, insisting he will grow to like it as his mother does. Michael resists and stabs Nick in the shoulder. The eerie dinner scene deepens the nightmarish atmosphere and the sense that danger is all around.

evening House kitchen
9

Lily's protection and the house eruption

Nick pursues Michael, but Lily sacrifices herself to protect him. In the struggle, Nick ruptures a gas line and triggers a catastrophic gas leak. A shelf of wine collapses, the gas ignites, and the house explodes.

evening/night House
10

Grandparents take custody

After the explosion, Michael's paternal grandparents assume his care and oversee his recovery. They place him to bed and attempt to restore some normalcy in the grim aftermath. The fragile peace suggests the danger may still follow him.

late night Grandparents' home
11

Midnight snack hints at cyclical horror

The grandparents leave Michael a midnight snack of a suspicious-looking meat sandwich. The unsettling gesture hints that the cannibalistic legacy may continue. The scene implies the nightmare is far from over for Michael.

midnight Grandparents' home, Michael’s bed
12

Final implication

The film closes with the sense that Michael's nightmare may persist beyond the immediate events. The suggestion is that cannibalistic tendencies were learned, and danger remains as Michael's haunting experiences linger. The ending leaves the viewer with a chilling, unresolved doubt.

closing scene Grandparents' home

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:58

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Parents

Don't stop at just watching — explore Parents 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 Parents is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Parents Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Parents, 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.

Parents Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Parents

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Parents. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Parents

More About Parents

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Parents: 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 Parents

Similar Movies to Parents

Discover movies like Parents 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.