Parallel Mothers (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Parallel Mothers is a 2021 drama directed by Pedro Almodóvar, starring Penélope Cruz as Janis, Milena Smit and Israel Elejalde. It runs 2 hours and earned $23.1 million worldwide on a $11 million budget. It won 2 awards from 12 nominations, among them 2 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 88 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h (120 min)
- Director
- Pedro Almodóvar
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Spanish
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Classics
- Budget
- $11M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Parallel Mothers About?
The premise of Parallel Mothers without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In a hospital room, Janis, an energetic photographer, and Ana, a young woman with a more cautious nature, unexpectedly meet and forge a friendship while awaiting the birth of their children. As they share their experiences and anxieties surrounding motherhood, their bond deepens, intertwining their lives in unforeseen ways and revealing unexpected truths about family and identity.
Parallel Mothers Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- motherhood
- bisexual
- spanish civil war
- pregnancy
- single mother
- mother daughter relationship
- photographer
- mass grave
- babysitter
- childbirth
- theater
- grave
+38 more Show fewer
- female bonding
- madrid spain
- lesbian relationship
- older woman younger woman relationship
- fashion photographer
- dna test
- written by director
- hospital
- pregnant teenager
- raped girl
- cafe
- cemetery
- sex scene
- gang rape
- extramarital affair
- excavation
- forensic anthropologist
- village
- sudden infant death syndrome
- theater actress
- reference to shakespeare's hamlet
- glass eye
- skeleton
- sudden death
- play rehearsal
- monologue
- memory
- heritage
- tortilla
- housekeeper
- female protagonist
- pregnant woman
- giving birth
- newborn
- baby
- telephone call
- photograph
- photo shoot
Parallel Mothers Cast & Characters
Penélope Cruz leads the cast as Janis, with Milena Smit as Ana and Israel Elejalde as Arturo. Directed by Pedro Almodóvar; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director Pedro Almodóvar
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Penélope Cruz as Janis -
Milena Smit as Ana -
Israel Elejalde as Arturo -
Rossy de Palma as Elena
Also Starring in Parallel Mothers
· 6 more- Julieta Serrano Brígida
- Adelfa Calvo Sobrina de Brígida
- Aitana Sánchez-Gijón Teresa
- Daniela Santiago Modelo
- José Javier Domínguez
- Inma Ochoa
More from Pedro Almodóvar
More films directed by Pedro Almodóvar, best-rated first: Pain and Glory, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, All About My Mother and Talk to Her.
Parallel Mothers Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Parallel Mothers 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 88 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 76/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).
Parallel Mothers Echo Score Breakdown
Parallel Mothers delivers a richly layered melodrama anchored by Penélope Cruz’s nuanced performance. Critics commend the film’s emotional depth and visual boldness, while many viewers echo this admiration, highlighting its historical resonance and striking aesthetics. However, a segment of the audience notes uneven pacing and predictability in the narrative structure. The combination of strong acting and thematic ambition yields a compelling experience that, despite occasional storytelling flaws, remains memorable. Consequently, the film earns a solid but not flawless standing.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of art and craft, the film showcases meticulous cinematography and vibrant production design, with critics noting eye‑popping colours and masterful composition. Viewers appreciate the visually striking frames and the director’s confident stylistic choices. Some reviewers point to a sluggish opening and occasional excess in image density, suggesting uneven editing. Overall, the visual execution is strong, though not uniformly consistent.
- Character & Emotion 85
When evaluating character and emotion, Cruz’s performance is repeatedly described as career‑best, delivering warmth and depth that anchor the ensemble. Supporting actors, notably Milena Smit, receive praise for nuanced portrayals that avoid clichés. The emotional resonance of the mother‑daughter dynamic is highlighted as a central strength. Minor criticism arises only from a few viewers who found certain character arcs underdeveloped, but the overall acting impression remains highly favorable.
- Story & Flow 70
Story and flow present a mixed picture; the narrative intertwines motherhood with Spain’s historical memory, praised for originality and thematic ambition. Critics commend its layered storytelling, yet several viewers cite a sluggish, predictable opening and pacing issues that dilute engagement. The plot’s occasional reliance on melodramatic tropes is noted as uneven, though the historical subplot is widely regarded as the highlight. Thus, the story’s inventive core is tempered by structural unevenness.
- Sensory Experience 80
The sensory experience is highlighted by a varied soundtrack and bold visual palette; critics and viewers alike note eye‑catching colours and a compelling musical score. The film’s sound design supports the emotional tone without overwhelming scenes. Some audience members mention occasional rushed sequences that affect immersion, yet the overall auditory‑visual harmony contributes positively to the viewing experience. Consequently, the sensory dimensions are largely praised.
- Rewatch Factor 70
Rewatch factor is moderate to strong; the film’s emotional depth and historical relevance encourage repeat viewings for many. Viewers who appreciated Cruz’s performance and the nuanced exploration of motherhood indicate a desire to revisit the material. Conversely, some critics point to predictability and pacing flaws that may reduce repeat appeal for certain audiences. Overall, the film offers sufficient substance to merit at least one additional viewing.
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IMDb 7.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 96% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 78%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 88 Metascore
User score 7.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 68% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.6 /5
203 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.7 /5
See on Movie Insider
Parallel Mothers Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Parallel Mothers from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Photographer Janis Martínez conducts a photoshoot with the distinguished forensic archaeologist Arturo. During their meeting, she inquires about the possibility of his foundation assisting in the excavation of a mass grave in her hometown, a site of tragedy from the Spanish Civil War where her great-grandfather and several other men were killed and buried. To her relief, Arturo agrees to consider the case, leading to a passionate encounter that results in Janis becoming pregnant. Despite Arturo’s insistence that she should not proceed with the pregnancy, given that his wife is battling cancer, Janis is resolute in her decision to raise their child, revealing her strength and independence.
Full summary
The whole story of Parallel Mothers, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Parallel Mothers Box Office & Budget
Parallel Mothers grossed $23.1 million worldwide on a $11 million budget, 2.1 times what it cost. $2.3 million came from the US and Canada and $20.8 million (90%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$23.1M
2.1× its budget
- US & Canada
- $2.3M
- International
- $20.8M
- Budget
- $11M
Parallel Mothers Awards & Nominations
Parallel Mothers won 2 awards from 12 nominations, among them 2 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the Premios Feroz 2022, with 2 wins from 7 nominations.
2 wins12 nominations5 ceremonies
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Premios Feroz 2022 2 wins · 7 nominations- Won Best Original Soundtrack
- Won Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture – Aitana Sánchez-Gijón
- Nominated Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Penélope Cruz
- Nominated Best Director – Pedro Almodóvar
- Nominated Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture – Milena Smit
-
Oscars 2022 2 nominations- Nominated Actress in a Leading Role – Penélope Cruz
- Nominated Music (Original Score)
-
Spirit Awards 2022 1 nomination- Nominated Best International Film
-
BAFTA 2022 1 nomination- Nominated Best Film Not in the English Language – Pedro Almodóvar
Show all 5 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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Golden Globes 2022 1 nomination- Nominated Best Original Score
Parallel Mothers Trailers & Videos
14 videos: 2 trailers, 3 teasers, 3 clips, 5 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Trailer Official UK & IE Streaming Trailer
- Teaser Official Teaser
- Teaser PARALLEL MOTHERS ‘Sumptuous’ [HD] Clip - Pedro Almodóvar, Penélope Cruz, Milena Smit
- Teaser PARALLEL MOTHERS ‘Five Stars’ [HD] Clip - Pedro Almodóvar, Penélope Cruz, Milena Smit
How Well Do You Know Parallel Mothers?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who plays the role of Janis Martinez?
Cars in Parallel Mothers
7 cars on screen, including the 1965 Buick Skylark and the 2015 GMC Canyon.
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1965 Buick Skylark Important role -
2015 GMC Canyon Background role -
2018 GMC Terrain Background role -
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Background role
Parallel Mothers Also Known As
26 alternative titles, including “Mères parallèles” and “Matki równoległe”.
- Also known as
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- Mères parallèles
- Matki równoległe
- Паралельні матері
- Paralelní matky
- Параллельные матери
- Rinnakkaiset äidit
- Paralel Anneler
- Παράλληλες Μητέρες
- Parallele Mütter
- Paralelne majke
- 패러렐 마더스
- Mães Paralelas
+14 more Show fewer
- 平行母亲
- مادران همپا
- Párhuzamos anyák
- אימהות מקבילות
- Parallella mödrar
- 平行母親, პარალელური დედები
- Parallelle mødre
- Paralēlās mātes
- Paralelné matky
- Паралелни майки
- 誰和誰共母
- Paralelinės mamos
- パラレル・マザーズ
- Paralleelemad
Seen Parallel Mothers?
Movies Like Parallel Mothers
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Mothers and Daughters, Madres and Mother.
Parallel Mothers FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Parallel Mothers, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Parallel Mothers?
Parallel Mothers runs 2 hours (120 minutes).
When was Parallel Mothers released?
Parallel Mothers was released on December 24, 2021.
Who directed Parallel Mothers?
Parallel Mothers was directed by Pedro Almodóvar.
More films by Pedro Almodóvar Who is in the cast of Parallel Mothers?
Parallel Mothers stars Penélope Cruz as Janis, Milena Smit as Ana and Israel Elejalde as Arturo, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Parallel Mothers make at the box office?
Parallel Mothers grossed $23.1 million worldwide ($2.3 million domestic, $20.8 million international) on a budget of $11 million.
How is Parallel Mothers rated?
Parallel Mothers has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 88 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.
What awards did Parallel Mothers win?
Parallel Mothers won 2 awards from 12 nominations, including Best Original Soundtrack at the Premios Feroz 2022.
Does Parallel Mothers have a post-credit scene?
No. Parallel Mothers has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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