Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- grotesque
- dreamy
- foreboding
- late night arthouse viewing
- dark fantasy marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as visually splendid and narratively satisfying, while recognizing its off-kilter, mature fairy-tale sensibility.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The interwoven stories of queens, kings, mysterious sisters, witches, ogres, and monstrous creatures are aimed at mature viewers and use disturbing folkloric imagery.
Three separate royal story strands are intercut and bookended by brief appearances from a street circus family.
Castles, royal courts, creatures, and grotesque spectacles are presented with sumptuous, highly stylized imagery.
The plot centers on jealous queens, obsessive kings, mother-son bonds, father-daughter relationships, and rivalry between sisters.
Films like Tale of Tales, and why
The Company of Wolves
Shares adult fairy-tale imagery, grotesque folklore, dark humor, and visually elaborate fantasy worlds.
Pan's Labyrinth
Combines unsettling fairy-tale mythology, dreamlike production design, and mature themes of desire and transformation.
The Fall
Offers surreal, macabre fantasy storytelling with sumptuous visuals and morally ambiguous characters.
Movie Details
- Director
- Matteo Garrone
- Release Date
- 2015-05-14
- Runtime
- 134 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (1759)
Cast
- Salma Hayek Pinault
- Vincent Cassel
- Toby Jones
- Shirley Henderson
- Hayley Carmichael
- Bebe Cave
- Stacy Martin
- Christian Lees
- Jonah Lees
- Guillaume Delaunay
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Shudder, Sundance Now
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Tale of Tales about?
- Three darkly enchanted royal fables collide in a sumptuous adult fairy-tale vision of desire, jealousy, and family obsession.
- What is Tale of Tales like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Tale of Tales as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Tale of Tales violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Tale of Tales as graphic.
- What did critics think of Tale of Tales?
- Critics broadly praised the film as visually splendid and narratively satisfying, while recognizing its off-kilter, mature fairy-tale sensibility.
- Which films are like Tale of Tales?
- Films with a similar feel include The Company of Wolves, Pan's Labyrinth, and The Fall.
- How long is Tale of Tales?
- Tale of Tales runs 134 minutes.
- Where can I watch Tale of Tales?
- In United States, Tale of Tales streams on Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Shudder, Sundance Now.
