Parallel Mothers

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Parallel Mothers

R

2021

2h 2m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

229 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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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

Sep 23, 2024

4/5

A deeply nuanced portrayal of female bonds.

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Adam Nayman

The Ringer

Mar 23, 2022

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

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Barry Hertz

Globe and Mail

Feb 8, 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.

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Christos Tsiolkas

The Saturday Paper

Aug 21, 2026

It’s a light, sunny work. I am grateful for the performances, and especially for the opportunity to enjoy the sublime work of Rossy de Palma. But compared with the maturity of Pain and Glory, the film seems jejune.

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Geoffrey Macnab

iNews.co.uk

Jan 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.

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Denise Pieniazek

Puesta en Escena (AR)

Aug 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.

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Dr. Marissa

Apr 1, 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

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tristan1958

Mar 25, 2022

Stunningly, unforgettably good

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Howard M

Mar 21, 2022

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

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Guilhermdico

Mar 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.

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Vincent Artemio E

Mar 13, 2022

Superb performances and art direction.

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Zyad H

Feb 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

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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%

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

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