The Parades begins with a mother searching for her missing son, then turns that search into a reflective story about death, grief and the connections people leave unfinished. The 2024 Japanese drama follows Minako as she discovers she has died and joins other spirits hoping to see someone from their lives again.
What is The Parades about?
After a calamity, Minako (Masami Nagasawa) wakes on a beach and searches for her son. She gradually learns that she is dead and among spirits who have unfinished business with the living. Her initial search gives the film an intimate emotional center: the supernatural discovery matters because of the relationships Minako still hopes to reach.
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The spirits gather once a month for a “Parade,” seeking people they hope to see again. Netflix describes the gathering as a place where the dead look for those they wish to meet while getting to know their fellow departed companions. Minako’s encounters with them widen the story beyond one family and toward the different ways people remain tied to the living.
Is The Parades about the afterlife?
Yes. The afterlife is the film’s fictional story setting, not a claim about what happens after death in real life. Netflix categorizes the title as Japanese drama and magical realism. The premise gives the characters a way to revisit their relationships, while the film’s focus stays on grief, longing and the possibility of emotional closure.
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How the ensemble shapes the story
Minako’s fellow spirits include Akira (Kentaro Sakaguchi), Shori (Ryusei Yokohama) and Michael (Lily Franky). The group structure lets the film consider several forms of unfinished connection rather than treating the afterlife only as the backdrop to Minako’s search. Each companion brings another perspective on what it means to hope for one more meeting.
This structure helps explain the film’s quiet, profound quality: it is less concerned with spectacle than with the inner turbulence and emotional ties of its characters. That is an interpretation of the film, not a measured consensus. In a May 9, 2024 review, James Marsh of the South China Morning Post also emphasized the characters’ inner lives and emotional bonds.
Rank #2
Who made the film?
Michihito Fujii wrote and directed The Parades. Netflix credits BABEL LABEL as the production company and Yojiro Noda with both the soundtrack and the theme song, “Gesture of the Waves.” The cast also includes Nana Mori, Yuina Kuroshima, Shinobu Terajima and Tetsushi Tanaka.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to watch The Parades
Netflix is the identified streaming home for the film. Its release date was February 29, 2024. Netflix’s language and subtitle options vary by regional title page, so check the listing for your location for current availability and localization details. Rotten Tomatoes lists the runtime as 2 hours 12 minutes.
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Rank #4
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