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Sci-fi horror film

Parallel (2018): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

Parallel (2018) movie poster

Parallel is a 2018 sci-fi horror film directed by Isaac Ezban, starring Aml Ameen as Devin, Martin Wallström and Mark O'Brien. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes. Its Echo Score is 61/100. Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

Parallel (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Isaac Ezban
Genres
Sci-Fi , Fantasy , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Parallel About?

The premise of Parallel without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A group of friends discovers a mirror that acts as a gateway to multiple universes. Intrigued, they begin exchanging information between these realities to improve their lives. However, their actions trigger a series of increasingly perilous consequences as they realize tampering with the multiverse has unforeseen and dangerous repercussions.

Parallel Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • mirror
  • german shepherd
  • hand over mouth
  • masked intruder
  • phonograph
  • shot in the head
  • shot through a pillow
  • doppleganger
  • seattle cityscape
  • sketching a portrait
  • reference to hannibal lecter
  • knocking a hole in a wall
+38 more
  • hidden room
  • tricycle
  • dimensional portal
  • cellar
  • close up of eye
  • drinking beer from a bottle
  • pile of money
  • dynamite
  • vito andolini corleone impression
  • explosion
  • burning money
  • reference to frankenstein
  • painting
  • gallery
  • betafire company
  • smashing a television
  • shot in the leg
  • interracial sex
  • note on a pillow
  • cut in half
  • breaking a mirror
  • axe
  • man wears a tuxedo
  • parallel universe
  • multiverse
  • parallel world
  • no opening credits
  • begins with a murder
  • pitch meeting
  • one word title
  • group of friends
  • false wall
  • secret room
  • montage
  • phone app
  • godfather impersonation
  • dynamite explosion
  • reference to ryan gosling
Where to watch

Where to Watch Parallel

Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Parallel Cast & Characters

Aml Ameen leads the cast as Devin, with Martin Wallström as Noel and Mark O'Brien as Josh. Directed by Isaac Ezban; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Parallel

· 7 more
Ratings

Parallel Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 61/100, strongest in sensory experience (68) and weakest in story & flow (48).

61 /100

Parallel Echo Score Breakdown

Parallel offers an intriguing multiverse premise supported by practical visuals and occasional strong performances, yet it struggles with uneven storytelling and underdeveloped characters. Reviewers note that the opening sequence and effects are commendable, but the plot becomes convoluted and the emotional core remains shallow. The film may satisfy genre enthusiasts on a casual viewing, but its limited depth reduces lasting impact and repeatability.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 66

    In terms of direction and production design, the film benefits from practical effects and a visually engaging opening sequence. Reviewers praised the avoidance of cheap CGI and the tangible set pieces, though some noted occasional lapses in visual consistency. Overall, the craftsmanship is solid but not uniformly polished, resulting in a moderately positive assessment of the film's art and technical execution.

  • Character & Emotion 62

    When evaluating performances, critics highlighted competent acting from the main cast, with several reviewers describing the performances as strong. However, the characters themselves were often criticized for lacking depth and clear motivation, leading to limited emotional resonance. The contrast between solid acting and shallow character development yields a generally favorable but restrained rating for this aspect.

  • Story & Flow 48

    Regarding narrative structure, the movie introduces a compelling multiverse concept but falters in execution. Reviewers mentioned an engaging premise that quickly becomes muddled, with pacing issues and a convoluted plot that undermines coherence. The story's initial promise dissipates, resulting in mixed to negative sentiment about its overall flow and originality.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    The sensory experience is anchored by practical set design and a striking opening visual, which reviewers found impressive. While some criticism was directed at occasional low‑budget CGI, the overall sound design and visual style were perceived as cohesive and effective in supporting the sci‑fi atmosphere. This leads to a generally favorable rating of the sensory components.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch value, the film appeals primarily to fans of speculative sci‑fi, offering enough novelty for an initial viewing. Nonetheless, many reviewers indicated that narrative weaknesses and limited character growth diminish the desire for subsequent viewings. Consequently, the rewatch factor is moderate, reflecting both niche enjoyment and broader replay limitations.

Plot

Parallel Plot Summary

What happens in Parallel from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film opens with an elderly couple in bed. When the wife rises to check on her crying dog, she is murdered by a masked intruder who removes the mask to reveal she is an exact duplicate of the wife. The intruder then redresses and re-enters bed, joining the husband as if nothing happened.

Next four friends—Devin, Aml Ameen, Noel, Martin Wallström, Leena, Georgia King, and Josh, Mark O’Brien—are running a software startup. Devin and Noel pitch to investors but face an impossible deadline. Their investors favor a rival company, and the group realizes a programmer Seth betrayed them. They tell Leena and Josh the bad news, then head to a bar. The barmaid Carmen, Alyssa Diaz, informs them their home is rumored haunted after the previous owner vanished.

Full summary

The whole story of Parallel, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Parallel Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Parallel | Official Trailer (HD) | Vertical Entertainment
  • Clip PARALLEL (2018) Exclusive Clip "Mirror" HD
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Parallel?

9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 9

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered

Which character discovers the hidden room with the strange mirror?

Details

Parallel Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “페럴렐” and “Into the Mirror”.

Also known as
  • 페럴렐
  • Into the Mirror
  • Parallel - Was würdest du tun?
  • 镜像世界
  • Dimensión paralela
  • Параллель
  • 인투 더 미러
  • Song Trùng
  • מקביל
  • W pętli czasu
  • Паралель
  • パラレル 多次元世界
+1 more
  • Universos paral·lels

Seen Parallel?

FAQ

Parallel FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch and post-credit scenes of Parallel, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Parallel?

Parallel runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Parallel released?

Parallel was released on April 10, 2018.

Who directed Parallel?

Parallel was directed by Isaac Ezban.

More films by Isaac Ezban

Who is in the cast of Parallel?

Parallel stars Aml Ameen as Devin, Martin Wallström as Noel and Mark O'Brien as Josh, among 11 credited actors.

Where can I watch Parallel?

In the US, Parallel is streaming on Amazon MX Player, Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

Does Parallel have a post-credit scene?

No. Parallel has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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