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What is Párvulos About?
Párvulos is a coming-of-age story about three young brothers surviving in a world decimated by an infection that turns people into zombie-like monsters.
Salvador, Oliver, and Benjamin are brothers living on their own in a house isolated deep in a forest. Their parents aren’t around, so the oldest brother, Salvador, has inherited the parental role in the family. Only a teenager himself without much life experience before the world fell apart, Salvador struggles with every decision he makes when trying to keep his brothers safe from as much physical and mental harm as possible.
The youngest, Benjamin, has been shielded to the point of being somewhat naive about the dangers of the world as it is now. His curiosity about the “monsters” his older brothers are keeping in their basement starts them all down a path that will either bring them closer together as a family, or tear them completely apart.
Párvulos was directed by Isaac Ezban (Evil Eye), based on a script co-written by Ezban and Ricardo Aguado-Fentanes. The three brothers are played by Farid Escalante Correa (Salvador), Leonardo Cervantes (Oliver), and Mateo Ortega Casillas (Benjamin). Also featured in roles that will be kept vague to avoid spoilers are Norma Flores, Horacio F. Lazo, Carla Adell, and Noé Hernández.
Párvulos Review
The first thing that might strike you when watching Párvulos is the movie’s use of color. The brighter colors of the world are washed out. The boys and their environment are presented in neutral tones that give the movie a somber feeling. The life is drained from their environment, but color can still be found. The sleeve of a vinyl record, photographs from the past, and Benjamin’s crayon drawings all pop brightly, making them conspicuous in the apocalypse. Perhaps they signify hope and the memory of better times. However, the crimson hues of blood are also prevalent, showing that even though it is important to have hope, the dangers surrounding the trio of brothers are just as prevalent.
Highlighting that idea of hope and danger being equally represented is what Párvulos does best. This is an apocalyptic movie as seen through the eyes of children, and there are many scenes where a childlike tone takes over. Influenced by Benjamin’s simplistic view of the world, the older two brothers begin to allow hope to creep into their hearts and minds. Through this, viewers might also allow themselves to begin to think everything will work out for the best. There are genuinely funny and touching moments throughout the movie, which makes the darker and more violent parts hit much, much harder.
Párvulos doesn’t shy away from gore when a gory moment is necessary. These moments reinforce the notion that danger surrounds the brothers, and letting themselves get too comfortable (or too indecisive) can mean death. Or worse. It’s impressive how well the movie manages its shifting tones.
The movie does use plot elements that might feel cliché to people who have seen lots of pandemic/apocalyptic movies. There’s a dangerous cult looming in the background that we know will eventually come into play. There’s a stranger who arrives at the boys’ house who will shake up their way of life. We expect these things in genre films like this, and these common tropes are used well in Párvulos. Why? Because the heart of the film always goes back to the brothers trying to keep their family together.
One of the most interesting aspects of post-apocalyptic movies is the idea of how (or if) morality changes when civilization no longer exists. This is compounded in Párvulos by the fact that we see everything through the eyes of children whose sense of morality is developing in a harsh environment. Even just the relatively small age difference between Salvador and Benjamin shows that their ideas of right and wrong seem to be taking different paths. This leads to tense and emotional moments when the boys make decisions that viewers might find difficult to support.
I don’t want to talk too much about the plot for fear of too many spoilers. I’ll just say that the story ultimately concludes in a fittingly bleak yet satisfying way. Párvulos: Children of the Apocalypse is a bittersweet movie, which is exactly what an apocalyptic coming-of-age film should be.
Párvulos Rating and Recommendation
Star Rating: 4 out of 5
Párvulos is for fans of post-apocalyptic survival films that focus more on emotional journeys rather than on action and scares. It’s an excellent film, made in a smart way that is visually compelling, tense, occasionally violent, and always heartfelt.
Párvulos: Children of the Apocalypse is currently streaming on VOD platforms including Amazon Prime Video.
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