Parallel Mothers

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1:24

Parallel Mothers

R

2021

2h 3m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

232 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Two women, Janis and Ana, coincide in a hospital room where they are going to give birth. Both are single and became pregnant by accident. Janis, middle-aged, doesn't regret it and she is exultant. The other, Ana, an adolescent, is scared, repentant and traumatized. Janis tries to encourage her while they move like sleepwalkers along the hospital corridors. The few words they exchange in these hours will create a very close link between the two, which by chance develops and complicates, and changes their lives in a decisive way.

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Critics Consensus

A brilliant forum for Penélope Cruz's talent, Parallel Mothers reaffirms the familiar pleasures of Almodóvar's filmmaking while proving he's still capable of growth.

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Christina Newland

iNews.co.uk

A deeply nuanced portrayal of female bonds.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 23, 2024

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Adam Nayman

The Ringer

Cruz may not be the favorite in the Best Actress race, but her performance in Pedro Almodóvar’s film is, well, unparalleled.

Mar 23, 2022

Full Review

Barry Hertz

Globe and Mail

I was both fairly sure what Parallel Mothers might be, and eager to be surprised. Thankfully, Almodóvar delivers on both fronts – as Almodóvar should almost always be entrusted to do.

Feb 8, 2022

Full Review

Geoffrey Macnab

iNews.co.uk

Whatever the case, this is bravura film-making, as Almodóvar brings humour and humanity to a story which in less assured hands, could easily have played like a corny soap opera.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 17, 2025

Full Review

Denise Pieniazek

Puesta en Escena (AR)

Like several of Almodóvar's mother melodramas, Parallel Mothers oscillates between the “bad mother” and the “good mother.” The symbolic parallels constantly, redefine the narrative, linking the themes of the violation of human rights and identity.

Rated: 8.5/10

Aug 18, 2024

Full Review

Amy Smith

InSession Film

Take a seat and let the story captivate you from the first words to the very last frame.

Mar 1, 2024

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Dr. Marissa

A wonderfully complex and interesting film The war portions were sad especially with what is going on right now with Ukraine Its obvious that we have not learned how to be humanKIND yet

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/01/22

Full Review

tristan1958

Stunningly, unforgettably good

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/25/22

Full Review

Howard M

Interesting movie. However, it was several movies. Also, it was a feminine movie. There were sections only a female person would appreciate.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/21/22

Full Review

Guilhermdico

This suspenseful 2-hour film by Pedro Almodvar held my attention the entire time. It artfully tied together a sordid period of Spanish history with the contemporary use of DNA to solve both crimes and questions of paternity. As one who has deciphered complex genealogical issues using both autosomal and Y-DNA, I found this movie to be both interesting and compelling.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/14/22

Full Review

Vincent Artemio E

Superb performances and art direction.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/13/22

Full Review

Zyad H

One of the least intense Almodovar movies I've seen, but still has many of the hallmarks. Definitely appreciated the historical / political elements included, as the topic of memory is not always explored with such emotional depth

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/01/22

Full Review

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Pedro Almodóvar

Director

Penélope Cruz

Janis

Aitana Sánchez-Gijón

Teresa

Milena Smit

Ana

Israel Elejalde

Arturo

Julieta Serrano

Brígida

Ma ma

24%

45%

Ma ma

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Parallel Mothers: Trailer 1

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Parallel Mothers: Teaser Trailer

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Synopsis

Two women, Janis and Ana, coincide in a hospital room where they are going to give birth. Both are single and became pregnant by accident. Janis, middle-aged, doesn't regret it and she is exultant. The other, Ana, an adolescent, is scared, repentant and traumatized. Janis tries to encourage her while they move like sleepwalkers along the hospital corridors. The few words they exchange in these hours will create a very close link between the two, which by chance develops and complicates, and changes their lives in a decisive way.

Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Producer: Agustín Almodóvar, Esther García
Screenwriter: Pedro Almodóvar
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Remotamente Films, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Radio Televisión Española, El Deseo
Rating: R (Some Sexuality)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: European Spanish
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 24, 2021, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.3M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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