Ariana Grande joins the family chaos of ‘Now the In-Laws Are Them’ alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro

Ariana Grande joins Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro in ‘Now the In-Laws Are Them’, the fourth instalment of the iconic family comedy franchise.

Sixteen years after its last chapter, the Focker saga returns to the big screen with a new film set to revive one of its defining elements: family discomfort. This time, it does so with a casting addition that expands the project’s cultural reach. Ariana Grande joins Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro in ‘Now the In-Laws Are Them’, the fourth instalment of the franchise that turned Greg Focker into one of the most memorable sons-in-law in modern mainstream cinema.

Presented by Universal Pictures at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, the film revisits the Byrnes-Focker family while introducing a generational shift. In the original, Greg, played by Stiller, struggled to win the approval of Jack Byrnes, the imposing patriarch portrayed by De Niro. Now, the narrative flips that dynamic. Greg finds himself on the other side of the conflict, stepping into the role of a suspicious father forced to confront his own son’s partner, reliving the tensions that once defined him.

In this new chapter, Ariana Grande plays Olivia Jones, the girlfriend of Henry Focker, portrayed by Skyler Gisondo. Her arrival quickly disrupts the family’s internal balance. Far from being a secondary or decorative presence, Olivia enters the story with a composed, strategic and assertive personality. According to early footage, she is introduced as an FBI hostage negotiator — a professional background she applies with precision in her interactions with Greg, who immediately views her with suspicion.

That clash becomes the central axis of the film. Greg attempts to test her using methods deeply rooted in the franchise’s DNA, including a lie detector, but fails to destabilise her. Olivia responds with calculated calm, gradually shifting the power dynamic in her favour. As this unfolds, Greg faces an even more unsettling development: Jack Byrnes forms an instant connection with Olivia and grants her approval with little hesitation. The rest of the family appears to follow suit, leaving Greg increasingly isolated and disoriented.

Ariana Grande spoke about her character during an Actors on Actors conversation with Adam Sandler, explaining that Olivia is someone Greg simply cannot understand, and that this disconnect fuels the film’s core tension. She also highlighted the strong bond Olivia develops with Jack, a relationship that intensifies Greg’s reaction and deepens the comedic conflict.

The cast blends familiar faces with new additions. Alongside Stiller and De Niro, Teri Polo, Owen Wilson, and Blythe Danner return, while Beanie Feldstein joins as Samantha, Henry’s twin sister. The film is written and directed by John Hamburg, a key creative figure behind the previous instalments.

During the CinemaCon presentation at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Stiller took the stage first, later joined by De Niro, prompting an enthusiastic reaction from attendees. Both actors praised Ariana Grande, with De Niro describing her as “probably the funniest scene partner” he has worked with, while Stiller responded with a humorous sense of discomfort that mirrored the film’s tone.

Set for release during Thanksgiving, ‘Now the In-Laws Are Them’ brings back a beloved franchise while updating its narrative through generational shifts, evolving power dynamics and the introduction of a new character capable of turning the family structure upside down. This time, it seems clear that Ariana Grande is not just joining the Fockers — she is here to take control of the game.