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December 28, 2025

Movies Should Stop Letting Dads Off the Hook

Three of the year’s buzziest films hold career-obsessed, absentee fathers accountable.

Movies Should Stop Letting Dads Off the Hook
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TL;DR

  • The "Sad Art Dad" is a new cinematic character who fails as a father by prioritizing creative pursuits over his children.
  • Unlike previous cinematic dads, these characters acknowledge their parental flaws and culpability.
  • Films like *Jay Kelly*, *Sentimental Value*, and *Hamnet* depict fathers whose self-absorption leads to calamitous consequences for their families.
  • These movies illustrate the loneliness and redundancy experienced by fathers who neglect their parental duties, even when their art gains recognition.
  • The article suggests a cultural shift on-screen towards exploring flawed fatherhood, implying a redefinition of what constitutes a "good dad."

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