REVIEW: “Preschool” (2026)

by

I just saw “Preschool,” and Josh Duhamel really does it all – he directs, produces, and stars! It’s a light, fun comedy that’s mostly good for families. Honestly, it’s a bit silly, but I found myself really liking it. The cast is fantastic – they’re clearly having fun, and their energy carries the whole movie. There were moments where it almost went too over-the-top, but Duhamel managed to keep everything grounded and deliver a genuinely enjoyable, feel-good film. It’s a crowd-pleaser for sure, and the ensemble cast is a big part of why it works.

Richard D’Ovidio’s “Preschool” is a simple, straightforward comedy. It features two men acting childishly and competing with each other, while their wives, who are more sensible and mature, put up with it and become friends. This dynamic of ‘silly men and patient wives’ isn’t groundbreaking, but the film offers enough laughs and genuine moments to make its flaws easy to forgive.

Okay, so this film really digs into the absolute madness of getting your kid into a good school. It centers on Brian and Sarah, a couple who’ve worked incredibly hard to create a stable life for themselves, and now they’re laser-focused on their son, Dylan. Brian, especially, is determined Dylan won’t struggle the way he did, and he’s been prepping him for years – literally since birth – for a spot at this ridiculously exclusive London preschool, Puggsley Academy of Excellence. It’s a pressure cooker of a story, and honestly, the lengths these parents go to are just…wow. It’s all about giving your child opportunities you never had, but taken to an extreme.

Brian is disappointed to learn he’s competing with Grace for the final opening at Puggsley. Grace is the daughter of Alan and Lauren Williams, a very wealthy couple (played by Duhamel and Charity Wakefield). Alan likes to present himself as a sophisticated and privileged man, though his wealth actually comes from his wife’s family inheritance. Despite this, he believes his daughter deserves the last position at Puggsley.

I was immediately hooked by how these two couples first met – it was during a new student tour of the Academy. The wives clicked right away, which was lovely, but the husbands? Total different story! They instantly started trying to impress the Dean, Fenella Woolgar. Then, Lauren, being super friendly, invited Brian and his wife over for dinner, though her husband, Alan, didn’t seem thrilled about it. Brian only agreed because he wanted to get a read on Alan’s son – basically, size up the competition! Sadly, the dinner didn’t help things at all. It just made the tension between the two dads even worse, honestly.

We soon noticed that Brian and Alan, much like their wives, were surprisingly alike despite having very different pasts. Both were ambitious and stubborn, but also deeply insecure, and they both tried to gain confidence by living vicariously through their children. This led to a funny, escalating competition where they constantly tried to outdo each other. They resorted to bribery, lies, and even sabotage – almost anything went as their rivalry grew more intense.

“Preschool” is a funny family comedy, though not every joke lands perfectly. A particularly weak segment involves a children’s group called “The Wild & Crazies” whose animal costumes and songs about gas fall flat. However, this is a minor issue in an otherwise entertaining and surprising film. You can now rent or buy “Preschool” on demand.

Read More

2026-04-09 18:57