The architectural design of the residence featured in the 2016 comedy “Why Him?” plays a significant role in the film’s narrative. This contemporary home, with its open floor plan, minimalist aesthetic, and integration of smart-home technology, serves as a visual representation of the generational and cultural clash between the film’s central characters. The house itself becomes a character, highlighting the differences between the traditional values of the visiting father and the modern, tech-infused lifestyle of his daughter’s Silicon Valley boyfriend.
The home’s design contributes to several comedic and dramatic moments throughout the film. The open layout allows for awkward encounters and uncomfortable proximity between the characters, while the technologically advanced features, often malfunctioning or misused, create humorous situations. Furthermore, the home’s lavishness and modernity serve as a symbol of the boyfriend’s success and, in the father’s eyes, his outlandish lifestyle. This spatial dynamic is essential to understanding the evolving relationship between the characters and underscores the broader themes of family, acceptance, and adaptation to change. The architectural design contributes to the visual storytelling, reinforcing the narrative’s core conflicts.