Parallel editing (or cross cutting) is a type of editing where the film establishes action happening at the same time but in two different places. The first use of parallel editing was done by D.W. Griffith in "A Corner in Wheat". Parallel editing heightens suspense and anticipation, especially if it is an action sequence, which parallel editing is most commonly used. Use of parallel editing can also create dramatic irony because the characters in the film are usually unaware of the second bit of action happening (e.g. A man is meeting his mistress in a coffee shop, while in the other shot his wife is walking past the same coffee shop).
The 2010 film Inception is a very good example of parallel editing. In this clip, the team are stuck in dream one and they have missed their kick to get out of the dream so they attempt to get out of the dream by drowning. Because they missed their kick, in dream two there is no gravity. The use of parallel editing creates great anticipation in the film because we are seeing the protagonists in a dangerous situation and at the same time we see one of our main protagonists fighting while there is no gravity in a completely different dream. It also keeps the audience on track of the storyline, especially with films like Inception, which has a very complex storyline.
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