Honestly, walking into a theater for a movie like Why Him? usually means you’ve already made a deal with yourself. You aren't there for a life-altering cinematic epiphany. You're there for the chaos. Released back in 2016, this R-rated comedy pitted the legendary Bryan Cranston against the king of "weirdly high-energy" James Franco. It's basically a foul-mouthed, tech-era spin on Meet the Parents.
But here is the thing. Even years later, the reviews for the movie why him are remarkably split between people who think it’s a modern comedy classic and those who find it utterly exhausting.
The plot is dead simple. Ned Fleming (Cranston), a straight-laced printing company owner from Michigan, takes his family to Silicon Valley for the holidays. Why? To meet his daughter Stephanie’s secret boyfriend. Enter Laird Mayhew (Franco). Laird is a billionaire video game designer with no filter, a back full of tattoos—including the Fleming family Christmas card—and a penchant for using profanity as a comma.
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What People Actually Liked
Let’s be real: James Franco is doing a lot here. He’s not playing a jerk, which is where a lot of these movies go wrong. Laird is actually a "lovable idiot." He’s genuinely desperate for Ned’s approval. He just has no idea how human social cues work. Many fans argue this makes the movie much more watchable than the typical "mean-spirited son-in-law" trope.
Bryan Cranston is, well, Bryan Cranston. Coming off the heels of Breaking Bad, seeing him play a flustered, paper-loving dad was a total 180. He brings a level of gravitas to the "straight man" role that most actors wouldn't bother with. When he's sitting on a high-tech Japanese toilet that he doesn't know how to operate, his desperation feels... weirdly real.
Then there is Keegan-Michael Key. He plays Gustav, Laird’s estate manager and occasional combat trainer. Every time the movie starts to lag, Gustav shows up to jump Laird from a ceiling or give a bizarre pep talk. He’s arguably the best part of the whole thing.
Where the Critics Went Hard
Not everyone was buying it. If you look at the reviews for the movie why him on sites like Rotten Tomatoes, it sits at a lukewarm 40%. The critics mostly complained about the "gross-out" factor. We are talking about a dead moose preserved in its own urine as a piece of "art." Yeah. It goes there.
- The movie relies heavily on shock value.
- Some scenes feel like they were improvised for ten minutes too long.
- The "paper vs. digital" rivalry feels a bit dated now.
- It’s almost two hours long—a big ask for a raunchy comedy.
Many felt that the script by John Hamburg (who wrote Meet the Parents) was just retreading old ground. They weren't wrong. The "dad hates the boyfriend" story is as old as time. However, the chemistry between the leads often carries the thin material across the finish line.
The Box Office vs. The Reviews
Despite the critics being "meh" on it, the movie was a massive financial hit. It grossed over $118 million against a $38-$52 million budget. People wanted a laugh during the holidays, and Why Him? delivered that specific brand of loud, colorful, escapist humor. Interestingly, it has found a second life on streaming platforms like Hulu recently. It turns out that when you’re sitting on your couch on a Tuesday night, a movie about a billionaire who doesn't understand boundaries is exactly the kind of "easy watch" people crave.
The Real Consensus
Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it funny? If you like seeing Bryan Cranston lose his mind while Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley from KISS make a random cameo, then yes.
The movie succeeds because it doesn't try to be smart. It knows it’s a "coarse-minded" comedy for a broad audience. It highlights the clash between the old-school Midwest work ethic and the "no-rules" Silicon Valley culture. While some of the jokes—like Ned accidentally using the word "bukkake"—are definitely bottom-of-the-barrel, the heart of the movie is about a dad realizing his daughter is a grown woman capable of making her own choices.
How to Decide if You Should Watch It
If you’re still on the fence after reading the reviews for the movie why him, here is the litmus test.
- Do you find James Franco’s "unfiltered" persona charming or annoying? If it's the latter, stay away.
- Are you okay with a lot—and I mean a lot—of swearing?
- Do you enjoy physical comedy, even when it involves high-tech toilets and taxidermy?
If you answered yes to those, you'll probably have a good time. Just don't expect it to change your life. It's a loud, messy, occasionally sweet holiday movie that reminds us all that in-laws are a nightmare, no matter how much money they have.
To get the most out of your viewing, try to ignore the predictable ending and just enjoy the riffing between Cranston and Key. That's where the real magic is. Check it out on your favorite streaming service tonight if you need a break from "serious" cinema.
Practical Next Steps
- Check the Rating: Remember this is a hard R. Don't put this on with the kids or your very conservative grandmother unless you want a very awkward two hours.
- Look for the Cameos: Keep an eye out for tech moguls and rock stars; the movie is packed with random appearances that are actually pretty funny.
- Compare the Director's Work: If you liked this, go back and watch I Love You, Man. It's by the same director, John Hamburg, but has a bit more "bromantic" heart.