Reviews: Tale of Tales (2015) Movie Review / Ending Explained / FAQs
Genres: Horror, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, History
Subgenres: Anthology, Love Sick, Mystery, Mind Bender
Our review of Tale of Tales (2015) dives into the story, the scares, and whether it truly delivers the horror fans crave.
Tale of Tales (2015) – A Baroque Fantasy That Dazzles and Disorients
Tale of Tales blends lavish visuals and dark fairy-tale motifs into an anthology of desire, transformation and grotesque beauty. With an anchored score of 6 out of 10, the film is striking and ambitious—but its fragmented narrative and surreal detours leave it uneven for mainstream audiences.
Story, Themes & Character Dynamics
Director Matteo Garrone adapts three tales from 17th-century writer Giambattista Basile, weaving them into a mosaic of courtly fantasy and primal longing. In one tale, a childless queen resorts to drastic measures to conceive with salt-sea monsters; in another, an aging sister takes body and identity from her younger sibling; in a third, a king becomes obsessed with a giant flea and forces his daughter into a monstrous marriage. These narratives explore themes of obsession, the body under siege, and what we sacrifice in pursuit of desire.
Visual Direction & Performances
The film’s production design marries baroque grandeur with visceral horror. Salma Hayek commands her tragic queen role, John C. Reilly and Vincent Cassel embody errant kings, and Toby Jones plays the oddball who becomes undone by his own toy-pet size obsession. Garrone emphasises texture—decay beneath gilding, insects in palaces and flesh in formalwear. The mood swivels between elegant and nightmarish.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths:
A unique, bold fantasy aesthetic that stands outside conventional genre fare.
Thought-provoking visuals that linger and invite reflection long after the credits roll.
A cast committed to extraordinary material in challenging roles.
Weaknesses:
The divided narrative means no single story reaches full emotional depth.
At 134 minutes, the pacing feels uneven and the tone shifts may alienate casual viewers.
Some motifs feel more symbolic than cohesive, leaving story threads less satisfying.
Final Verdict
Tale of Tales is cinematic art flipped into fantasy—with ambition, beauty and unsettling moments. It earns a 6/10 for its originality and craft even as it resists neat categorisation or easy emotional payoff. If you favour bold, unconventional fairy-tale cinema, this film offers a feast. If you prefer clear plot structure and consistent tone, it may test your patience.
Who Will Appreciate It
Fans of dark fairy tales, mythic fantasy and visual ambition.
Viewers open to symbolism over straightforward storytelling.
Anyone curious about fantasy cinema that challenges norms and expectations.
Who Might Be Left Unsatisfied
Audiences seeking fast-moving adventures or traditional hero journeys.
Viewers who prefer clear storylines and minimal surreal detours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tale of Tales (2015) about?
The film weaves three fairy-tale threads from 17th-century stories into one mosaic: one about a queen who will stop at nothing for a child, another about sisters fighting over beauty, and a third about a father obsessed with a giant flea. All tales converge around desire, power and consequence.
Who are the main characters?
The Queen of Longtrellis, desperate to bear a son.
Imma and Dora, two sisters whose rivalry over youth and beauty spirals dark.
The King of Highhills and his daughter Violet, caught in his monstrous bargain.
Key figures cross paths in the film’s final coronation, tying the stories together.
What themes does the movie explore?
Major themes: unchecked desire, the cost of vanity, and how fantasy reflects human weakness. The film asks what we will sacrifice for what we want—and whether power improves us or undoes us.
Is this film suitable for all ages?
No. While styled like fantasy, the tone is dark and includes violence, body horror and unsettling imagery. It is best for adult viewers comfortable with twisted fairy-tale worlds.
Does each story end the same way?
Each thread concludes differently but rests on the same idea: what you gain by wish is lost in consequence. None of the stories offer simple happy endings.
Do you need prior knowledge of fairy-tales or the source material?
No. The film stands on its own: the strange jargon and mythic characters are introduced within the narrative, so newcomers can follow without needing background.
Why is the film considered visually striking?
Lavish settings, baroque costumes and surreal effects combine to create a dream-world that tilts into nightmare. The production design makes even the familiar feel alien—enhancing the film’s power for fantasy fans.
What might some viewers dislike?
The shifting structure among three stories may feel disjointed to those wanting a single hero’s journey. Also, the tone veers between wonder and horror, which can surprise viewers expecting a cheerful fantasy.
Is the ending open to interpretation?
Yes. While major plot threads finish, the film leaves one larger possibility in place: that the world remains changed, and that the fairy-tale logic will carry on beyond the screen.
Ending Explained
In the final sequences, all three storylines converge at the grand coronation of Violet as Queen, with Elias, Dora and other principals present. Dora, whose youth was magically restored, watches the tightrope act above the gathering and realises her own magic is fading—her skin’s pallor returning, the illusion failing. Terrified, she flees the celebration, leaving the throne behind. Meanwhile, Violet has exacted her vengeance on the ogre who married her under her father’s decree, returning triumphant with his head. The Queen of Longtrellis and her son Elias stand nearby, tying together the first story’s outcome. The film ends on the tightrope walker suspended in flame, the new queen ascending, and Dora crossing into the dark woods with her true self waiting. The key message: power obtained through fantasy and sacrifice still demands a price. The final shot suggests that the world these figures inhabit remains under enchantment—but also under warning.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Tale of Tales Rating Scores
- Our Score: 6/10
- Overall Score: 6.85/10
- IMDB: 6.4/10
- MetaCritic: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 8.3/10
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