Hollywood'S Fatherhood Fumble: What 2025'S Films Got Wrong

The Year of the Dad... Sort Of

Fatherhood took center stage in 2025, popping up in Hollywood blockbusters, indie offerings, and international hits alike. From the soaring heights of 'Superman' to the chilling depths of 'The Conjuring: Last Rites,' dads were everywhere. Even Marvel’s 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' focused on parenthood like never before. But there’s a catch: these films often painted fathers with a broad, uninspired brush. The narrative? Fathers can only succeed as parents by yielding to maternal instincts, sidelining the unique contributions dads make. A common critique is that these portrayals promote a culture undervaluing fathers' roles, despite mounting evidence of their importance.

“Hollywood feeds us the notion that dads are just bumbling along until a mother swoops in to save the day. It's time to see fathers for the indispensable role they truly play,” a viewer expressed.

The Bumbling Dad Trope

Legendary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein' of 2025 highlighted this theme by illustrating Dr. Frankenstein’s abusive upbringing under his father’s stern hand. This sets off a destructive cycle, where Dr. Frankenstein repeats his father's mistakes with his own ‘creation’—emphasizing the stereotype of flawed father figures. Meanwhile, films like 'Sovereign' and 'Wicked: For Good' delve into fathers who either abuse or neglect in favor of career ambitions. The message? Many of these narratives pit paternal 'tough love' against maternal nurturing, often to the detriment of the fathers’ reputation.

Are Fathers Really the Villains?

Films like 'Sketch' and others continue this trend by showcasing dads struggling with grief-driven inadequacies, unable to properly process emotions or communicate effectively. The narrative arc often leaves the impression that fathers are inherently flawed, with redeemable qualities emerging only through maternal influence or tragedy. This portrayal raises questions about whether Hollywood is unfairly vilifying dads. Some movies, like 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' attempt to balance the scales by showing fathers acknowledging their fears and vulnerabilities. Still, the predominant theme remains: dads are a work in progress, needing a maternal compass to guide them.

Why the Negative Spotlight on Dads?

The portrayal of fathers in cinema, teetering between incompetence and redemption, raises questions about the cultural and political implications behind these narratives. With societal values increasingly polarized, the depiction of fathers often aligns with broader cultural trends. Films from conservative studios, like 'Guns & Moses' and 'The Last Rodeo,' provide a counter-narrative, advocating a more traditional view of fatherhood. This division in storytelling reflects a larger, potentially problematic trend where fatherhood—and by extension, family dynamics—are politicized.

Hollywood's portrayal of fatherhood in 2025 shines a light on an evolving cultural narrative. As American cinema continues to influence global storytelling, these depictions can shape how we value the roles within a family. As more diverse perspectives and research emerge, there’s hope for a more nuanced portrayal of fatherhood in future films.