Parallel Tales Review: Asghar Farhadi’s Latest Is Disappointingly Empty [Cannes]

Asghar Farhadi’s film, while inspired by the sixth part of Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Dekalog and its later adaptation, A Short Film about Love, is neither brief nor focused on a simple story. Though the idea of watching others – voyeurism – is an intriguing subject, this film unfortunately fails to deliver on its potential, making it surprisingly disappointing.

As the title suggests, Parallel Tales connects the lives of six individuals, promising a complex and dramatic story. However, the film ultimately feels weighed down by its repetitive nature and doesn’t offer a fresh perspective on themes of imagination and watching others. The result is a story that lingers too long on predictable patterns, unfulfilled expectations, and a sense of creative exhaustion.

The Actors Hold Interest, But Parallel Tales Is A Far Lesser Film Than It Could Have Been

Isabelle Huppert plays Sylvie, a struggling writer desperately seeking inspiration for her next book. She’s battling both writer’s block and a chaotic, cluttered home that stifles her creativity. Her sister, Laurence (India Hair), wants Sylvie to move out of their childhood home so Laurence can renovate and create a stable future for her baby. Sylvie unexpectedly hires a homeless man named Adam (Adam Bessa) after he recovers Laurence’s stolen wallet.

These initial, somewhat frantic actions kick off a series of increasingly chaotic events that connect all the different storylines. Sylvie begins a complicated and passionate affair with three of her neighbors – Nita, Pierre, and Christophe. While the premise sounds intriguing and dramatic, the movie feels messy and ultimately doesn’t offer much insight into the relationships it portrays.

Despite its flaws, Parallel Tales surprisingly held my attention, largely thanks to its incredible cast and their performances. They skillfully brought complex characters to life, avoiding the common trap of feeling either genuine or artificial. Vincent Cassel was particularly strong, fully embodying his role(s) with intense focus and physical commitment, and drawing surprising empathy from the audience even within the film’s unusual context.

Virginie Efira shines playing two distinct characters: Nita, the quiet, kind, and devoted wife, and Anna, who is outgoing and self-assured. While the script didn’t fully explore the potential of her characters—except for a particularly powerful scene dealing with workplace harassment—Parallel Tales could have been exceptional. I also suspect that director Asghar Farhadi intentionally gave Isabelle Huppert a smaller role, to allow other characters to develop, but it’s still surprising given her talent!

It’s difficult to say, but Parallel Tales feels a bit like a lackluster soap opera. You could have it on while you’re busy around the house and easily pick up where you left off an hour later without feeling lost. It’s not necessarily bad, but it’s definitely repetitive and disappointing. Despite some strong acting, it’s a shame to see so little effort put into the film and its characters, especially considering how much potential it had to be a standout at Cannes this year.

Parallel Tales screened at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.

2026-05-15 16:11

The Actors Hold Interest, But Parallel Tales Is A Far Lesser Film Than It Could Have Been

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