At its heart, this film is a moving story of identity, courage, and inner freedom, focusing on an intersex person’s struggle to understand their true self. The decision to cast an actual intersex actor for the lead role deserves applause. This appears to be a remake of a classic film of same name released in 1972; however, because I haven’t seen that version, I lack a point of comparison, which works in my favor.
The story takes place in Spain and follows Adela, a woman in her twenties who is the only child of a conservative couple in a small provincial town. Most of her time is spent working in the family antique shop, living a life defined by her mother’s total silence regarding Adela’s intersex condition—a condition that has caused her significant social discrimination—and her mother’s overprotectiveness. Adela finds small, strange pockets of normalcy despite these restrictions, finding her only real outlet for free conversation in a gay priest. This quiet existence is disrupted by the arrival of two new people. A male friend returns from London and shares a kiss with her, and around that same time, a lively lesbian physiotherapist enters her life. For the first time, Adela feels like herself and experiences true freedom while around the physiotherapist. Yet, she remains caught in a struggle over her own sexual and gender identity. Seeing the physiotherapist kiss another woman is a devastating blow. The situation reaches a breaking point when Adela learns the truth about her intersex condition: her parents had her undeveloped testicles removed without her consent. This revelation shatters her sense of self and triggers a true journey of self discovery. Moving to Madrid, she begins living as a man under the name AD. In the city, AD finds a supportive group of friends across the whole LGBTQIA+ spectrum who assist him in accepting his identity. A turning point occurs when AD takes an unexpected job with an aging dominatrix, sparking a process of self discovery marked by equal parts guilt and confusion. When the lesbian woman from her hometown reappears, an old connection is rekindled. The film ends on a high note, showing AD walking with confidence and freedom the morning after a pride parade.
Aside from her own family, almost everyone in Adela’s orbit proves to be remarkably kind. Even the village priest is far more open minded than his peers. I found the priest’s few scenes to be some of my favorite moments in the whole film, as they provide a quiet sense of stability. As AD’s life progresses, the people around him—such as the dominatrix who shows him true kindness and the pansexual couple he shares an apartment with—act as a mirror to help him embrace who he is. These moments provide a warmth that deepens the film’s more emotional scenes. Ultimately, the film suggests that identity is something to be lived rather than boxed up. Even if you haven’t personally navigated the specific complexities faced by intersex people, the character remains easy to connect with. The emotions, from the tension with her family to the discomfort of social settings, feel real throughout. The tone of the film shifts steadily from melancholy toward a sense of hope and affirmation.
Starting with Adela and concluding with AD, the movie’s primary arc is the evolution of self-understanding and confidence regarding identity and the body. The lead actor is perfect for the part. Her performance goes beyond the physical transitions between male and female presentations, capturing inner turmoil and emotional confusion with a delicate touch. It feels as though she is sharing a personal, lived experience to let others know that it’s okay and that she has been there too.(7/10)
