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Parallel Mothers (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Parallel Mothers (2021) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
96%
worldwide gross
$23.1M
awards won
2
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Parallel Mothers (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h (120 min)
Director
Pedro Almodóvar
Genre
Drama
Original language
Spanish
Budget
$11M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Parallel Mothers

· 6 more
From the director

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.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

76 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$23.1M

2.1× its budget

US & Canada
$2.3M
International
$20.8M
Budget
$11M
US & Canada 10% Rest of the world 90%
Awards

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

Show all 5 ceremonies
Videos

Parallel Mothers Trailers & Videos

14 videos: 2 trailers, 3 teasers, 3 clips, 5 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 14 videos
Official Trailer
  • 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
Quiz

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

  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
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the role of Janis Martinez?

Cars

Cars in Parallel Mothers

7 cars on screen, including the 1965 Buick Skylark and the 2015 GMC Canyon.

All 7 cars
  • 1965 Buick Skylark in Parallel Mothers 1965 Buick Skylark Important role
  • 2015 GMC Canyon in Parallel Mothers 2015 GMC Canyon Background role
  • 2018 GMC Terrain in Parallel Mothers 2018 GMC Terrain Background role
  • 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer in Parallel Mothers 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Background role
Details

Parallel Mothers Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “Mères parallèles” and “Matki równoległe”.

Also known as
  • 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
  • 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?

FAQ

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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