The Parallel State

The Parallel State

Year: 2020

Runtime: 23 mins

Language: Romanian

Director: Octav Chelaru

Drama

Dan, a young security specialist, finds his life unexpectedly altered by a mysterious phone call. He's drawn into a complex situation involving a high-profile client and a luxurious spa resort. This opportunity promises a chance for Dan to elevate his status from ordinary to significant, but the stakes remain unclear as he navigates an increasingly dangerous game.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Parallel State (2020)

Trace every key event in The Parallel State (2020) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Orbit and loss of comms

During its orbit around Earth, Gaines's space capsule experiences a sudden loss of communications and a cascade of system malfunctions. He blacks out and later awakens back on Earth with no memory of the mission or how he returned. For the moment, authorities treat him as a routine return and release him to his family.

In orbit around Earth Space
2

Homecoming without alarms

Initially he seems largely unchanged and is welcomed home by his wife and daughter. He shows no obvious trauma and tries to resume normal life, with authorities willing to chalk it up as a strange but harmless incident.

Immediately after return Family home
3

Memories clash with the house

Yet inconsistencies mount at home: his house has a white picket fence he swears he never saw before. Helen insists the fence was there when they bought the house, sowing doubt about his memory and reality.

Shortly after return Family home
4

Rank and identity collide

His collar insignia now shows Colonel instead of Major, and a photograph confirms he has held the Colonel's rank for months. The discrepancy deepens the mystery surrounding his perceived return.

Shortly after return Family home
5

A reassuring kiss reveals unease

Helen kisses him to reassure him, but she immediately senses something is off. She attempts to call Gaines's fellow officer friend, only for Gaines to interrupt, signaling that a deeper problem is at play.

Shortly after return Family home
6

Coffee reveals a change

Maggie brings him coffee, and he stops her from adding sugar, noting a changed taste and routine. She remarks that he seems different, more detached, which unsettles the household.

Soon after return Family home
7

Seeking formal examination

Disturbed by the anomalies, he insists on turning himself in for examination. He wants an official medical check to confirm what is happening to him.

Soon after return Military/Medical facility
8

A Kennedy claim and a new reality

In conversations with authorities, he insists the President is John F. Kennedy, a man no one else has heard of. He maintains that he has slipped into a parallel universe, a theory others dismiss but cannot easily refute.

During questioning Base/office
9

Capsule discrepancy surfaces

A ground mechanic reports the space capsule Gaines returned in is not identical to the one he was sent out in. The discrepancy fuels the investigation and raises questions about the nature of his journey.

Shortly after return Launch facility/maintenance area
10

Approach triggers a return

During the examination, Gaines approaches the capsule and begins to feel himself pulled back toward the moment he left his own universe. He experiences a re-entry-like sensation and the world around him shifts as if he is being drawn through a boundary.

During the examination Launch facility
11

A second transmission and vanishing act

Back at ground control, a transmission arrives from Colonel Gaines, now appearing in the other universe's authority. The signal drops out seconds later, and the Colonel disappears from radar.

Moment after examination Ground control center
12

Reality restored, or a doorway remains

He returns home to find his daughter recognizing him again and the white picket fence is gone, suggesting a restored memory and altered reality. The resolution leaves open the possibility of further crossings but confirms a changed family dynamic.

End Family home

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 13:06

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Unlock the Full Story of The Parallel State

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The Parallel State Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Parallel State, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Parallel State Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Parallel State

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Parallel State. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Parallel State

The Parallel State Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Parallel State Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Parallel State

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