Raunchy R-Rated Comedy I Love My Dad Pushes the Family Dynamic Into Uncomfortable but Fascinating Territory

The 2022 film I Love My Dad takes a bold swing at the idea of a well-meaning but deeply misguided father by turning a real-life catfishing incident into a full-blown cringe comedy. Writer-director James Morosini, who also stars in the movie, based the story on something that actually happened between him and his own dad.

The film follows Patton Oswalt as Chuck, an absent father desperate to reconnect with his son after years of slipping up and disappointing him. His son Franklin, played by James Morosini, has blocked him everywhere and is trying to rebuild his self-esteem with the help of a therapist.

To get around being blocked, Chuck creates a fake online profile using photos of Becca, a real waitress from his small town played by Claudia Sulewski. He convinces himself that pretending to be someone else will help him bond with Franklin, even though his coworker Jimmy (played by Lil Rel Howery) strongly warns him against it.

Franklin, who struggles with confidence and feels lonely, immediately connects with the fake Becca and starts to open up to her. Chuck continues the ruse with the help of another coworker and romantic interest, Erica (played by Rachel Dratch), who unintentionally helps him manage the increasingly intimate messages.

The film uses a clever visual trick where Franklin imagines Becca physically sitting next to him during their conversations. This adds an extra layer of discomfort because viewers watch Franklin fall for someone who doesn’t exist and is actually his father behind the screen.

As their digital conversations intensify, Franklin’s newfound motivation and emotional openness begin to grow, which makes Chuck feel like his plan is working. Chuck encourages Franklin to keep pursuing Becca because he believes it’s helping his son come out of his shell, even though the relationship is built on a complete lie.

Things take a dramatic turn when Franklin decides he wants to travel to Maine to meet Becca in person. This forces Chuck to join him on the trip, share motel rooms with him, and keep juggling the fake messages while panicking about how to prevent the impossible meeting.

The emotional stakes rise when the real Becca, who is completely unaware her identity has been stolen, lives nearby and could inadvertently expose Chuck. The film increases the tension by showing how close Franklin gets to discovering the truth at several points.

Some of the movie’s biggest laughs come from watching Chuck react to Franklin’s romantic advances toward the fake Becca. The awkwardness escalates as Chuck imagines himself in scenarios that are both disturbing and absurd, creating a level of cringe that makes the humor hard to ignore.

Despite the uncomfortable premise, the film maintains an unexpected layer of sweetness that complicates how viewers feel about Chuck’s actions. Moments of genuine connection between father and son appear as the catfishing pushes them into conversations they would never have had otherwise.

However, the emotional manipulation becomes impossible to defend, especially as Franklin’s vulnerability becomes more apparent. His gentle personality, eagerness for love, and hopefulness make the deception feel more painful with every scene.

The film leans into the duality of being both wholesome and deeply messed up, making it a unique entry in modern cringe comedy. Viewers interested in seeing the full chaotic journey can stream the film on Hulu, and additional cast and film details are available on the official Magnolia Pictures page through this link.