Desire

🧠 Plot summary

Disire is set in Argentina sometime between the late 1970s to early 1970s. It captures the feud underlying familial relationships and societal expectations. The sisters Lucía and Ofelia are distanced but reconnect during Lucía’s extravagant wedding celebration which is hosted by their mother who is impulsive and does LSD.

Ofelia, the youngest sister, has a vibrant personality and a Brazilian fiancé named Juan. However, Juan ends up developing feelings for Ofelia, and a forbidden attraction ignites. What was once innocent flirtation quickly develops into an all-consuming obsession that imperils the sisters’ bonds and control.

Passions surge as hidden desires are revealed, and mutual jealousy arises. What was once a joyous celebration transforms into a treacherous arena of fragrant deceit, betrayal, and raw unadulterated desire.

👥 Cast and Characters

Carolina Ardohain Pampita as Ofelia – She is described as a bold and magnetic person who was the last to arrive and, in turn, upset the family’s delicate balance.

Lucía is portrayed by Monica Antonopulos as the more shy and reserved sister. Her wedding serves to frame the film’s story.

Guilherme Winter plays Ofelia’s fiancé, a charming character who is bold and charismatic.

Juan Sorini plays Juan who is married to Lucía. He becomes infatuated with Ofelia and sets the conflict ablaze.

Andrea Frigerio as Carmen – Their unpredictable and bohemian mother whose stances fuel the emotional volatility.

Visual Style & Atmosphere

Diego Kaplan recreates the 1970s with lush sensorial precision.

Vivid pastel costumes, retro hairstyles, and grainy cinematography propel us into the era’s bygone allure.

The beachside wedding setting brings a glossy veneer which shatters as the tension builds.

So much of the film’s erotic and psychological tension is heightened by soft-focus lenses, slow-motion shots, and dreamy music.

Explored Themes

🔥 Forbidden Desire & Rivalry

When raw desire threatens the sanctity of familial love, the boundaries blur and primal instincts take over.

🧬 Emotional Recklessness

In Ofelia and Juan’s world, loyalty becomes secondary, highlighting how fragile vows can be.

🌿 Backdrop of Rebellion

The film is set during Argentina’s tumultuous 1960s–70s, mirroring a period of social and personal revolution.

🪞 Youth vs. Conformity

Ofelia embodies youthful boldness, shattering Lucía’s “‘safe’ captivity” marriage and illustrating the trade-off between passion and stability.

⚠️ Controversy

The film generated controversy shortly after its premiere on Netflix due to the opening scene of a young girl experiencing an orgasm. While some sought to critique the scene as exploitative, the director explained that the children were guided by acting coaches and their mothers who were on set.

📈 Reception & Legacy

Though critics remain few, the film has earned an 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Desire has gained a place among aficionados of Argentine cinema for its unapologetically bold, pervasively erotic, campy, and emotionally raw aesthetic.

Polarized critics actively opposed and supported the film’s stylized approach, with some saying it lacked emotional depth and others praising the stylization.

🎯 Why It’s Worth Watching

Desire weaves a tale of a lush visual and simmering psychological intensity. For those who appreciate erotic drama, this film will provide a part mood piece and part forbidden romance. While it may test your comfort zone, it is designed to captivate, challenge, and linger in the mind like an unforgettable dream.