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Parallel Mothers

Play trailer 1:24 Poster for Parallel Mothers R 2021 2h 2m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 228 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 100+ Verified 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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Parallel Mothers

Parallel Mothers

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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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Critics Reviews

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Christina Newland iNews.co.uk 09/23/2024
4/5
A deeply nuanced portrayal of female bonds. Go to Full Review Adam Nayman The Ringer 03/23/2022
Cruz may not be the favorite in the Best Actress race, but her performance in Pedro Almodóvar’s film is, well, unparalleled. Go to Full Review Barry Hertz Globe and Mail 02/08/2022
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. Go to Full Review Geoffrey Macnab iNews.co.uk 01/17/2025
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Denise Pieniazek Puesta en Escena (AR) 08/18/2024
8.5/10
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. Go to Full Review Marya E. Gates Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) 02/13/2024
This marks the 7th film Cruz and Almodóvar have made together, and you can see how well they understand each other as artists. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dr. Marissa 04/01/2022 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 See more tristan1958 03/25/2022 Stunningly, unforgettably good See more Howard M 03/21/2022 Interesting movie. However, it was several movies. Also, it was a feminine movie. There were sections only a female person would appreciate. See more Guilhermdico 03/14/2022 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. See more Vincent Artemio E 03/13/2022 Superb performances and art direction. See more Zyad H 02/26/2022 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 See more Read all reviews
Parallel Mothers

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Cast & Crew

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Pedro Almodóvar

Director

Penélope Cruz

Janis

Aitana Sánchez-Gijón

Teresa

Milena Smit

Ana

Israel Elejalde

Arturo

Julieta Serrano

Brígida

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Parallel Mothers

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Parallel Mothers

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Movie Info

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 2m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)