Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Enjoyable time travel mystery has peril, themes of loss.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Parallels
What's the Story?
In PARALLELS, a group of friends in the mountainous region of France get ready for high school, promising each other they'll be friends forever. When they meet up to celebrate their friend's birthday at their secret hideout in an abandoned hillside bunker one night, things go terribly wrong. The power cuts out, then returns after a few strange minutes, and life is suddenly turned upside down. Some friends are missing, one returns as an adult. Could the nuclear collider test be the cause of the anomaly? Will anything be normal again?
Is It Any Good?
Mysterious in the right ways, touching and amusing as well, this sci-fi series from French Disney is a fun bet for fans of Stranger Things. And if Stranger Things was too freaky for tweens (or adults) in your world, Parallels is a good bet for sensitive viewers. The friendships are tender, family life is pretty tame, and there's not a lot of violence or gore. The pace slows a little in middle episodes, but the puzzling premise will keeps viewers wanting more.
Strong women characters with careers are portrayed with dignity and humor, which feels reflective of real life. The science feels real too -- the nuclear collider appears to be based on the actual thing. Larger questions about how energy use tampers with our natural world is a timely topic. Parents and tweens can enjoy this one together -- the English dubbing is very good, though the French with English subtitles is superior.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about social media hazing in Parallels. Victor sees a message that his classmates send of him being hit in the face with a ball. He's furious. Here are tips for coping with trolls and haters.
Parents drink alcohol when they're stressed, and teens swipe a bottle of champagne to drink to celebrate a friend's birthday. How does seeing alcohol in the media affect the way you think about drinking?
A main character, Victor, is put under a lot of pressure by his parents to be a high-achieving kid. How does this pressure affect his behavior? How do you cope with pressure and stress?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 23, 2022
- Cast : Jules Houplain
- Network : Disney+
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , STEM
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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