Twisted Comedy Thriller Takes Familial Dysfunction To A Whole New Level
Dysfunctional families have served as the jumping-off point for writers and artists to tell their stories since the dawn of civilization, with many films centered around bizarre family dynamics hitting home with audiences around the globe. One 2015 film titled The Family Fang, however, takes this concept to the next level, by showcasing a nuclear family so dysfunctional, it might just make you laugh until you cry. The film, which originally premiered on Starz is currently streaming for free on Tubi, offering fans everywhere an opportunity to catch it today.
The Family Fang’s Cast And Crew
The Family Fang was written by Oz the Great and Powerful scribe David Lindsay-Abaire, based on a novel of the same name written by American author Kevin Wilson. The film was directed by actor Jason Bateman, who also stars, and serves as his directorial follow-up to his 2013 debut Bad Words. A number of exceptional performers join Bateman in the cast, including Nicole Kidman, Christopher Walken, Maryann Plunkett, Kathryn Hahn, Jason Butler Harner, and Severance‘s Michael Chernus.
A Problematic Family Dynamic
Like Bateman, Nicole Kidman actually had a very hands-on role in bringing the project to life, as she served as the lead executive producer on the film after personally buying the rights to adapt the novel through her production company Blossom Films. The narrative of The Family Fang follows the eponymous clan as they pull a series of bizarre art installations, most of which involve tricking the public into believing in some kind of miracle or horrific act of simulated violence. These performances, led by husband and wife duo Caleb and Camille Fang, often demand the assistance of their young children Annie and Baxter.
Separating Hoax From Reality
After showcasing a few of the family Fang’s greatest hits and the ensuing media frenzy, the audience comes to learn that Annie and Baxter have become highly jaded and traumatized by their parents’ works in their adulthood, leaving them with many trust issues and personal hangups. So much so, in fact, that the duo become convinced that they are at the center of an elaborate installation when the police inform them that their parents are missing and presumed dead following a horrific car accident in the Berkshires.
As the narrative of The Family Fang continues to build toward its dramatic climax, Annie and Baxter work to locate their parents, as the police conduct an investigation into the suspected deaths.
A Dramedy With An Emphasis On Dysfunction
Obviously, I won’t give away too much here, but suffice is to say, The Family Fang is a bonkers thrill-ride unlike any other. Though the film is primarily billed as a comedy, the funny moments are mostly wrought by the abject insanity of the Fang’s family dynamic, especially after the adult children learn of the crash. Though the film went mostly under the radar with general audiences upon release, critics lauded Jason Bateman and Nicole Kidman’s performances, and praised the film’s direction, culminating in an impressive 83 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Stream The Family Fang On Tubi
REVIEW SCORE
Those interested in checking out The Family Fang should be sure to do so by streaming the film on Tubi today. If you’ve got any funky hangups about your childhood, be sure to proceed with caution here, as the relatable nature of this bonkers film might just be enough to induce a panic attack.
