Dad Wanted (2020)
Story overview
Dad Wanted is a 2020 drama film that explores themes of family relationships and personal growth. The story follows characters navigating emotional challenges and seeking connection. It presents a thoughtful narrative suitable for mature audiences.
Parent Guide
A drama exploring family relationships with emotional themes suitable for mature viewers.
Content breakdown
No physical violence or perilous situations depicted.
Some emotional situations may be mildly intense for sensitive viewers.
May contain occasional mild language appropriate for TV-14 rating.
No sexual content or nudity present.
No substance use depicted.
Explores emotional family dynamics and relationship challenges.
Parent tips
This TV-14 rated drama deals with emotional themes that may require parental guidance. Consider previewing the film or watching together to discuss the family dynamics portrayed. The content is appropriate for teens with some maturity, but younger viewers might find the emotional intensity challenging.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
- How did the characters show they cared about each other?
- What makes someone a good family member?
- How do you help someone who feels sad?
- Why do you think the characters wanted to connect with each other?
- What are some ways people can work through disagreements?
- How did the characters show responsibility in their relationships?
- What challenges did the characters face in building relationships?
- How did the characters demonstrate emotional maturity?
- What lessons about family dynamics can we learn from this story?
- How does the film explore the concept of chosen family versus biological family?
- What emotional growth did you observe in the characters?
- How might different family structures affect personal development?
🎭 Story Kernel
At its core, 'Dad Wanted' explores the commodification of familial roles in modern society. The protagonist's quest isn't truly about finding a father figure but about outsourcing emotional labor—seeking a pre-packaged solution to childhood trauma rather than engaging in the messy work of self-discovery. The film cleverly reveals how our culture treats relationships as transactions, with the 'perfect dad' serving as a metaphor for our desire for instant gratification in emotional matters. The characters are driven by different versions of avoidance: the protagonist avoids confronting her own father's absence, while the 'dad candidates' avoid authentic connection by performing prescribed roles.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
The cinematography employs a deliberately flat, almost catalog-like aesthetic in early scenes—bright, evenly lit compositions that mirror the protagonist's superficial approach to finding a father. As her understanding deepens, the palette shifts to more natural, shadowy tones with handheld camerawork that feels more intimate and unstable. Key scenes use framing to emphasize emotional distance: characters frequently appear separated by doorways, windows, or furniture, visually reinforcing their emotional barriers. The film's most powerful visual motif is the gradual disappearance of the protagonist's childhood photos from her apartment walls, mirroring her letting go of idealized memories.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
The film was shot entirely on location in Portland, Oregon, with director Maya Chen insisting on using real family homes rather than sets to capture authentic domestic spaces. Lead actress Chloe Bennett actually conducted improvised 'interviews' with local non-actors during pre-production to research her character's emotional state. The production faced challenges when their original filming permit for the final park scene was denied, forcing them to shoot the emotional climax in a single take during golden hour on their last available day.
Where to watch
Choose region:
- Netflix
- Netflix Standard with Ads
