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Netflix’s The Willoughbys Movie Review: A Dark Family Film

The Willoughbys is an eye opening Netflix movie that is likely to make you appreciate the family you have – complete with their flaws.

the willoughbys review

These days my family is practically begging for new entertainment, so when Netflix dropped a new family film, we cuddled up to watch it right away! The Willoughbys was not what we expected, but we certainly loved it! This movie focuses on some real, and difficult things. The parents literally HATE their children. Cannot stand them. Which is hard to watch, especially while sitting with your young children.

However, the story itself was a lot of fun. Entertaining from beginning to end, and had us rooting for The Willoughby children all along the way. If there is one thing to say about this movie it is that I really wanted candy while watching it. Like a lot of it. Even though the Baby Ruth (how can you not love that name) vomited up rainbows after eating too much of it. And fat ducks were floating around from eating too much of it. I wanted to stuff my face with candy! 

Grab your FREE The WIlloughbys printable activity sheets!

the willoughbys printable activity pack

The Voice Casting

The voice cast is absolutely phenomenal – the despicable Mother and Father were perfectly voiced by Jane Krakowski and Martin Short. The way their voices flipped from loving and affectionate towards each other to cold, disgusted, and calculated towards the children was flawless. Details like that are important when it comes to playing characters like that, and they pulled it off so well.

All of the children were great too — the hilarious Will Forte as Tim, Sean Cullen as Barnaby A & B, and of course, Jane. Every time she sang it brought tears to my eyes. Alessia Cara is so extremely talented and I love her voice. 

And don’t even get me started with Terry Crews as Commander Melanoff and Maya Rudolph as Nanny. They had me cracking up with almost every single line. 

the willoughbys quotes

Too Dark For Kids?

Is The Willoughby’s kid friendly? Well, my girl Tania at Lola Lambchops has you covered on that one. I am never the right person to answer this question because I am pretty lenient about what my kids watch. Does this movie seem a little dark? Yup. I mean — the parents totally hate their kids. Like despise them. They treat them horribly. These poor kids don’t even eat. Or know what TV is. And they never get to feel love. It is sad. Like…real sad. I am honestly surprised that this movie didn’t make me cry. Because I cry at everything. 

These parents love each other a little too much for my taste too. Some parts were almost awkward how lovey dovey they were. Especially when the father started making bird noises while his neck was quivering. Anyways… the movie was still fantastic. Just maybe some things to think about before you let your kids watch it?

the willoughbys

Surprisingly Teaches A Lesson

The Willoughbys is a movie about parents that despise their children. I cannot stress this enough. However, the kids persevere. They come up with a plan to allow them to get by without their parents. At some point along the way they find a family that works for them. And cares for them. 

While this film might be sad for some people (my youngest daughter cried a little bit towards the end), it also shows the true meaning of family. Which is one of the things I love most about it. Family might not always be biological. Family is the people that care about you. And love you. And take care of you. No matter what. And I love that lesson. 

the willoughbys quotes

Overall Thoughts

The Willoughbys is a totally different take on a family film — and I love that. It was almost refreshing to see a movie where the parents are just horrible people. And they don’t change. Because there are people like that out in the world. Sometimes you just cannot fix people. Too often movies give children that false hope that anyone can be changed.

Not The Willoughbys. This movie is real without being TOO real. It mixes humor, fun and adventure with a little bit of the dark side of the real world. But the kids are better off for it. An eye opening film that manages to teach kids a good lesson – family isn’t always biological.

Check out my favorite The Willoughby quotes!

the willoughbys poster

About The Willoughbys

Convinced they’d be better off raising themselves, the Willoughby children hatch a sneaky plan to send their selfish parents on vacation. The siblings then embark on their own high-flying adventure to find the true meaning of family. Starring Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski and Ricky Gervais.

Watch The Willoughbys on Netflix now!