'Preschool' Review
- Connor Petrey
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Release Date: 03/17/26 [Shudder]
Genre: Comedy.
MPAA: Rated PG13.
Distributor: Republic Pictures.
The Verdict: A Maybe
Preschool, directed and starring Josh Duhamel, alongside co-star Michael Socha, is a ridiculously uncomfortable comedy about two fathers seeking the best for their children, and at this time, it’s admission to an incredibly prestigious (and expensive) preschool. If you’ve ever seen the film Daddy Day Care with Eddie Murphy, it’s essentially the school that Anjelica Huston runs.
I’m the type of person who can’t fully appreciate “cringe” comedy, with the humor and scenarios aiming to make you uncomfortable enough to chuckle. The comedy here relies on just how much you can appreciate the style and the effort put into the performances by Duhamel as Alan and Socha as Brian. Especially when the film surrounds the idea that they wish the best for their children, when the children are hardly in the picture (which is purposeful), but it also leads to the question of, “Why are they doing this exactly?”.
The duo's significant others are just there for the fodder, allowing their husbands to battle one another even though it’s ultimately for naught. Charity Wakefield plays Lauren (Alan’s wife), and Antonia Thomas plays Sarah (Brian’s wife), who, at times, feel incredibly unnecessary as they rarely add anything positive or negative to the nonsensical argument the leads are having.
While this film may not have worked for me on a personal level, I don’t think it’s a poorly made film; it’s just not my style of humor. There will be an audience for Preschool as the over-the-top (at times crass) comedy will hit home for some who can’t get enough of waiting for the other shoe to drop, as their vengeful behavior comes at little to no cost.
