Tale of Tales Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Royal folks do weird stuff to get what they want, and sometimes it works out terribly; giant bugs, sea monsters, and skinless hags included.

🍿 Tale of Tales: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Queen of Longtrellis’s Bitter Quest

The Queen of Longtrellis (Salma Hayek), desperate for a child, seeks the help of a necromancer. She’s instructed to consume the heart of a sea dragon, a dangerous task fulfilled by her husband, the King (John C. Reilly), at the cost of his own life. This act leads to the birth of Elias, but also sets in motion a series of events fueled by the Queen’s obsessive need to control her son’s life.

The King of Strongcliff and the Mysterious Sisters

The King of Strongcliff (Vincent Cassel) is captivated by a beautiful voice and seeks out its owner, only to discover Dora, an old woman. Through magical means, Dora transforms into a beautiful young woman and becomes Queen. However, her sister Imma’s jealousy and pursuit of the same magic lead to grotesque consequences.

The King of Highhills’s Flea Obsession

The King of Highhills (Toby Jones) becomes obsessed with a giant flea, neglecting his daughter Violet. Upon the flea’s death, he devises a bizarre contest: whoever can identify the animal’s hide will win Violet’s hand in marriage. An ogre correctly identifies the skin, leading to Violet’s forced marriage and captivity.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Queen of Longtrellis (Salma Hayek): The desperate queen, obsessed with bearing a child, makes a dark deal with severe consequences.
• King of Strongcliff (Vincent Cassel): The lustful king’s pursuit of beauty leads him to a deceptive and bizarre situation.
• King of Highhills (Toby Jones): The eccentric king’s fascination with a giant flea results in the neglect and endangerment of his daughter.
• Dora (Shirley Henderson/Stacy Martin/Hayley Carmichael): One of two elderly sisters who uses magic to transform into a beautiful maiden to seduce the King of Strongcliff.
• Violet (Bebe Cave): The neglected princess is unwillingly offered in marriage to an ogre due to her father’s folly.
• Elias (Christian Lees): The queen’s son who shares an unbreakable bond with Jonah born on the same day.
• Jonah (Jonah Lees): Born the same day as Elias and sharing a magical connection to him.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Queen of Longtrellis: “I want a child, even if I have to pay with my life.” – Expresses the Queen’s desperate desire for an heir, setting the dark events in motion.
• Violet: “You never loved me!” – Violet’s anguished declaration to her father, the King of Highhills, after being forced to marry the ogre.
• Dora: “The equilibrium of the world must be maintained.” – Highlights that Dora’s beauty transformation did not come without a cost, a life had to be exchanged.

💰Box Office

• Budget: €12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $118,925
• Worldwide Gross: $5,500,277

💥 Tale of Tales Reviews

Personal Review

I was captivated by the visuals in ‘Tale of Tales’; the costumes and settings were stunning. However, I found the stories themselves disjointed and a bit unsatisfying. Each tale had potential, but the lack of resolution left me wanting more. I did enjoy Salma Hayek’s performance; she really embodied the obsessive queen. Although I had mixed feelings, I was glad to have seen such a visually arresting film. I thought the end tightrope walker performance seemed a bit out of place.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark fantasy.”
  • “Viewers interested in European cinema.”
  • “Those who appreciate unique visual styles.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence.”
  • “Sexual content.”
  • “Mature themes.”
  • “Animal cruelty (specifically the treatment of a peacock and other animals).”

Professional Reviews

• Variety Film + TV: “‘The Leopard’ Production and Costume Designers on Balancing ‘Reality’ and ‘Decadence’ to Update the Sicilian Saga’s Look for Netflix. It’s not always an obvious connection but it indicates the care and attention given to period detail.
• Cinema Blind: “Listed in ’13 Best Movies on Shudder in March 2025.’ Implies a unique and potentially dark viewing experience.
• IMDB User Review: “Beautiful cinematography, but highly dissatisfying! Story is a mixture of several traditional Italian fairy tales with more than a sprinkling of sex and gore

Audience Reactions

Viewers were impressed by the film’s stunning visuals and unique take on fairy tales.: The film is praised for its beautiful cinematography, costumes, and set design, as well as its dark and twisted approach to classic fairy tales.

Overall Consensus: Visually stunning but narratively disjointed, ‘Tale of Tales’ offers a unique, dark take on fairy tales that may not appeal to all viewers due to its lack of resolution and sometimes confusing plot lines.

Awards

1. David di Donatello Awards (Best Costume Design)- 2016
2. David di Donatello Awards (Best Makeup)- 2016
3. David di Donatello Awards (Best Hair Design)- 2016
4. David di Donatello Awards (Best Special Effects)- 2016

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie is based on ‘Pentamerone’, a collection of 17th-century Italian fairy tales by Giambattista Basile.”
• “This film marks Matteo Garrone’s English-language debut.”
• “Filming took place in various locations across Italy, including Castel del Monte, creating a visually stunning backdrop.”

🖥️ How to Watch Tale of Tales?

Tale of Tales is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Tale of Tales, you might like these similar films:

• Pan’s Labyrinth (2006): Dark fantasy with political undertones, blending grim reality with fairy-tale elements, and horror.
• The Brothers Grimm (2005): A dark fantasy film which explores the origins of fairy tales, and combines fantasy with historical elements.
• Crimson Peak (2015): A gothic romance with dark secrets, stunning visuals, and elements of the supernatural, featuring strong female characters in peril.

🛒 Tale of Tales Related Products

• Pentamerone: Tales of Tales (Penguin Classics): The original collection of fairy tales by Giambattista Basile that inspired the movie, offering a deeper dive into the source material.
• Medieval Renaissance Dress Gown Costume: An elegant Medieval/Renaissance gown perfect for cosplay, historical reenactments, or themed events.
• Fantasy Castle Building Blocks Set: A detailed castle building block set, allowing builders to create their own medieval kingdom with towers, walls, and miniature figures.
• Dragon Heart Pendant Necklace: A dragon heart pendant necklace, inspired by the Queen’s quest for a child, features a unique heart design.

🎧 Soundtrack

Tale of Tales features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Se l’aura spira tutta vezzosa, F 7.15” – performed by Girolamo Frescobaldi

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Heart of the Sea Monster Allows Two People to Have Identical Children! #Shorts

Want a super-quick and slightly bizarre intro to Tale of Tales? This 1-minute recap highlights the craziest plot points. Honestly, the sea monster bit is wild!

King Forces The Princess to Marry a Monster Because of Fleas

Need a longer and more in-depth explanation about the movie? This recap covers the weirdest and most memorable parts of the movie in over 12 minutes. The flea story alone is worth the watch!

✨ Rate