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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Parallel (2020). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


The film begins with an elderly couple peacefully resting in bed. However, the tranquility is shattered when the wife hears her dog’s distress. Curiosity leads her out of the bedroom, where she finds the dog unharmed, but tragedy strikes as she is violently murdered by a masked intruder. In a shocking twist, the intruder removes the mask, revealing herself to be an exact duplicate of the wife, and then she returns to bed with the unsuspecting husband.

Meanwhile, four ambitious friends are running a software startup. Devin, portrayed by Aml Ameen, along with Noel, played by Martin Wallström, Leena, portrayed by Georgia King, and Josh, played by Mark O’Brien, find themselves under intense pressure as they pitch their app to investors. Given an unrealistic deadline, they soon realize they’ve been sabotaged by Seth, a programmer they briefly considered hiring, played by Chad Krowchuk. Faced with despair, the group heads to a bar where they learn from the barmaid, Carmen (Alyssa Diaz), that their home is rumored to be haunted, linked to the mysterious disappearance of the previous owner.

Upon returning home, the four friends ponder the impossibility of their situation. A heated argument erupts when Devin expresses his thoughts of giving up. In the chaos, they damage a wall, uncovering a hidden room that leads them to a peculiar mirror. This mirror holds the key to another dimension, as Josh discovers when he steps through and returns after 15 minutes, exhilarated by tales of a different universe. Realizing they can manipulate time, they decide to use the mirror to assist in completing their app. Once finished, they present it to their investors, feeling triumphant as they drive past Seth, who mocks them.

As they revel in their newfound success, the group discusses exploiting the mirror’s capabilities. Leena discovers the diaries of the missing woman, revealing her name as Marissa, who used the mirror to connect with her deceased husband from another reality. Despite Devin’s protests about their actions mirroring Seth’s betrayal, the allure of the portal proves too tempting. They each begin to benefit immensely from their use of the mirror—Josh seduces women, Leena replicates great artworks for profit, and Noel emerges as a “visionary,” capitalizing on stolen ideas.

Their success is cut short when tragedy strikes; Josh attempts to enchant a woman from an alternative universe but ends up fatally shot. In a frantic panic, the remaining trio, led by Noel, hatch a desperate plan to swap the dead Josh with an alternate version from another universe. This new Josh wakes up, befuddled by the charade that he has simply gotten drunk and achieved success. As Devin searches for a universe to reunite with his deceased father, Noel’s behavior grows increasingly sinister, leading to suspicion and dread among the friends.

Amidst this chaos, Devin and Leena forge a deeper bond, but Noel’s obsession spirals out of control. After a series of shocking revelations and betrayals, the friends find themselves in a violent confrontation, leading to a tragic climax where Noel’s treachery unveils itself in gruesome ways.

In a harrowing final showdown, Leena manages to trap Noel in the mirror, severing him from existence between worlds. As she and Devin dispose of the body and destroy the mirror, they resolve to start anew together. However, a startling twist occurs at a gas station—a flicker of light at the mirror hints at a lingering connection to alternate realities, leaving an unsettling question in the air: has their past truly been obliterated, or has it merely resurfaced in another form? The film concludes with a strikingly ambiguous note, suggesting that the echoes of their choices may still linger beyond their knowledge.

Timeline

Track the key events of Parallel (2020) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


A Peaceful Morning

The film opens with an elderly couple enjoying a tranquil morning in bed. This serene moment is abruptly disturbed when the wife hears a distressing sound from their dog, prompting her to investigate.

Tragic Turn

As the wife leaves the safety of their bedroom, she encounters a masked intruder. In a shocking act of violence, she is murdered, and the intruder reveals herself to be a duplicate of the wife, who then returns to bed with the unsuspecting husband.

Bedroom

Startup Struggles

Meanwhile, in another part of town, four friends run a struggling software startup. Devin, Noel, Leena, and Josh face mounting pressure as they prepare to present their app to investors under a strict deadline.

Startup Office

Sabotage Revealed

The group discovers they have been sabotaged by Seth, a programmer they considered hiring. This revelation deepens their despair as they realize they must overcome not just external pressures but internal conflicts as well.

Haunted Rumors

Seeking a reprieve from their stresses, the friends visit a bar. There, the barmaid, Carmen, shares rumors about their home potentially being haunted, adding an eerie layer to their already tumultuous situation.

Bar

The Hidden Room

Upon returning home, tensions flare among the friends, leading them to accidentally damage a wall. This reveals a hidden room that houses a peculiar mirror, setting the stage for their next adventure.

Their Home

Crossing Dimensions

Curiosity leads Josh to step through the mysterious mirror, allowing him to explore another dimension. He returns after 15 minutes, exhilarated and eager to share tales of his journey to a different reality.

Hidden Room

Riding the Wave of Success

Realizing they can manipulate time through the mirror, the group leverages this ability to complete their app. When they present their work to investors, they feel triumphant, especially when they mock Seth on their way past.

Investors' Meeting

Uncovering the Past

As they revel in their success, Leena discovers diaries belonging to Marissa, the previous owner of their house. These diaries reveal her connection to the mirror and her attempts to reach out to her deceased husband.

Their Home

Exploitation of Power

Despite Devin's concerns about repeating the mistakes of Seth, the group starts exploiting the mirror's abilities for personal gain. Josh begins to charm women, Leena replicates art, and Noel pitches ideas as his own.

Fatal Consequences

The consequences of their recklessness soon become apparent when Josh's attempt to enchant a woman from another universe tragically leads to his death. The remaining friends are thrust into panic and desperation.

A Sinister Swap

In a frantic effort to bring Josh back, the group devises a plan to swap him with an alternate version from another universe. When the new Josh awakens, he is confused but oblivious to the dark deeds surrounding his arrival.

Growing Tensions

As Devin searches for a universe to reunite with his deceased father, Noel's increasingly reckless behavior stirs suspicion amongst the friends. Friends begin to mistrust each other, leading to a fracture in their bonds.

Final Confrontation

Tensions culminate in a violent confrontation where Noel's hidden treachery is exposed. The resulting chaos escalates to a tragic climax, severely affecting their fragile relationships and leading to irreversible consequences.

The Echoes Remain

In a harrowing final showdown, Leena traps Noel in the mirror, cutting him off from all existence. As they destroy the mirror and clean up the aftermath of their deeds, a flicker at a gas station leaves them questioning if their past truly remains buried.

Gas Station

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Parallel (2020) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Devin

Devin is depicted as a determined and ambitious member of the startup group, grappling with the moral implications of using the mirror. His journey involves deepening relationships and confronting loss, showcasing resilience in the face of chaos.

👨‍💻 Ambitious 💔 Vulnerable 👥 Loyal

Noel

Noel starts as a visionary within the group, but his obsession with success and power leads to a sinister transformation. His increasingly erratic behavior creates tension among friends, culminating in his tragic downfall.

🧠 Genius ⚠️ Obsessive 😈 Treacherous

Leena

Leena evolves throughout the story from a passive participant to a key figure who takes decisive action. Her character showcases strength and compassion as she navigates the emotional and chaotic landscape shaped by the mirror's influence.

💪 Strong 🕊️ Compassionate ❤️ Resourceful

Josh

Josh is portrayed as charismatic yet reckless, drawn into the allure of the mirror's capabilities. His tragic fate serves as a catalyst for the group's unraveling, highlighting the risks that come with their newfound power.

🎩 Charismatic 🔥 Reckless 😢 Tragic

Setting

Uncover the settings of Parallel (2020), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

The film's timeline is contemporary, as it revolves around modern technology and the challenges faced by startup entrepreneurs today. This period highlights themes of ambition, betrayal, and the ethical dilemmas prompted by technological advancements.

Location

Home, Bar

The main setting of the film is a home where four friends navigate the challenges of their startup while uncovering supernatural occurrences. The bar serves as a pivotal location for the group to decompress and receive insights regarding the haunting connected to their residence.

🏠 Home 🍻 Bar

Themes

Explore the core themes of Parallel (2020). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🪞

Duality

The theme of duality permeates the film, illustrated by characters interacting with alternate realities and their counterparts. The haunting experiences and the duplicity of personas create tension, raising questions about identity and morality.

💻

Ambition

Ambition drives the four friends to explore the possibilities of the mirror, leading them to take dangerous risks in pursuit of success. Their entrepreneurial aspirations illustrate the lengths individuals will go to achieve their dreams, often blurring ethical lines.

⚔️

Betrayal

Betrayal is a central theme, depicted through Seth's sabotage and the friends' subsequent moral compromises. As friendships fracture due to greed and desperation, it becomes apparent that trust is as fragile as their reality.

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