I Love You, Daddy (2017)

I Love You, Daddy is the kind of nervy, conversation-starting comedy-drama that dares you to laugh and then immediately questions what you’re laughing at, all while wearing a sleek, old-school aesthetic that feels like a love letter to classic New York wit. It plays like an homage to Woody Allen in rhythm and tone—quick, neurotic, observant—yet it uses that familiar vibe to poke at uncomfortable power dynamics and the stories we tell ourselves to excuse them. The humor is sharp, the discomfort is intentional, and the movie’s best trick is how it keeps turning a seemingly simple parental panic into something thornier and more thought-provoking. It’s not for everyone—especially if you don’t enjoy provocative material—but if you like films that take risks and leave you debating them long after the credits, this one is hard to shake.

I Love You, Daddy is clearly aiming for a dark, Woody Allen-esque satire about power, fame, and a father panicking as his daughter gets pulled into an older filmmaker’s orbit. The problem is it often feels more self-satisfied than sharp, with pacing that drifts and jokes that land awkwardly—or not at all—while the “creepy” dynamics can read less like critique and more like indulgence. It’s also hard to separate the movie from the controversy around it, which can make the whole experience feel queasy rather than insightful. If you’re looking for a clean, well-structured dramedy with a clear point of view, this probably isn’t for you, but if you can tolerate discomfort and uneven execution for the sake of provocation, you may find some bite in its performances and premise.