Hidden Pleasures

Hidden Pleasures

Year: 1977

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: Spanish

Director: Eloy de la Iglesia

Drama

Eduardo, an affluent banker who habitually hires young street hustlers for companionship, catches sight of Miguel, an extremely handsome teenager with a love for women and motorcycles. Their chance encounter ignites a secret, passionate romance that forces both men to confront desire, class and societal expectations.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Hidden Pleasures (1977)

Trace every key event in Hidden Pleasures (1977) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Eduardo's secret life and social position

Eduardo is a well-off bank manager in his forties who presents a refined, sophisticated image while concealing his sexuality. He keeps his sexual life a secret, but he uses his social and economic position to attract young men. His double life creates a hollow surface behind which his loneliness fester.

Bank offices and upscale social circles
2

Meeting Miguel during a cruising session

In one of his regular cruising sessions in the University area, Eduardo meets Miguel, an attractive young man from a humble background, and he falls in love with him. Miguel is initially just another face in the crowd, but Eduardo's feelings pull him into a tangled dynamic.

afternoon University area
3

Nes helps Eduardo locate Miguel and a job offer

Through Nes, a gay man who lives in Miguel's neighborhood, Eduardo finds out Miguel's address and offers him a job in the company run by his friend Raul. Raul and Eduardo had a relationship in the past, and Raul is still secretly in love with Eduardo.

Nes' neighborhood; Raul's company
4

Eduardo ingratiates himself with Miguel

Eduardo takes Miguel to his apartment every afternoon under the pretext of helping him type a book, cultivating his friendship. To win Miguel's confidence, Eduardo buys him a motorcycle. Miguel is heterosexual, with a steady girlfriend, Carmen, and he also has an affair with Rosa, an older married neighbor.

afternoons Eduardo's apartment
5

Miguel's relationships complicate the dynamic

Miguel maintains a relationship with his girlfriend Carmen and also has an ongoing affair with Rosa. The complexity of his loves adds tension to Eduardo's hopes and to the trio's dynamic.

Miguel's life
6

Miguel rejects Eduardo's feelings

When Eduardo finally confesses his feelings, Miguel rejects him. The rejection confirms that there won't be a romance, and Eduardo steps back from pursuing him.

Eduardo's apartment
7

Eduardo returns to solitary cruising life

Eduardo returns to his solitary life, seeking fleeting pleasures with young men in cruising spots such as cinemas, parks, and public toilets. He also rejects his friend Raul's offer to join the emerging gay movement.

Cinemas, parks, and public toilets; Eduardo's social circle
8

Mother's illness and confession

Eduardo's elderly mother becomes terminally ill and, on her deathbed, confesses that she had known he was gay since he was a teenager. She urges him not to be alone.

Family home; mother's deathbed
9

Nes attack and Miguel's revenge

In one of his park cruising episodes, Nes and members of his gang go to Eduardo's apartment to rob him and beat him. When Miguel learns what happened, he beats Nes in revenge. This act rekindles the bond between Eduardo and Miguel.

one of his park adventures Park; Eduardo's apartment
10

Eduardo and Miguel form a trio with Carmen

Eduardo and Miguel resume their friendship, accepting each other and recognizing that Miguel is straight. Miguel introduces his girlfriend Carmen to Eduardo, and the trio forms a close, family-like bond that eases Eduardo's loneliness.

Eduardo's apartment; Miguel's life
11

Rosa's return and rumors

Rosa reappears, angry because she was jilted by Miguel, and begins to spread rumors that Miguel is gay. She also talks to Carmen's father, leading him to forbid Carmen from seeing Miguel.

Rosa's influence; Carmen's home
12

Public confrontation at the bank

Miguel becomes very upset about losing Carmen and blames Eduardo's closeness for it. He goes to the bank where Eduardo works and makes a terrible scene, shouting and publicly revealing Eduardo's homosexuality to everyone.

final confrontation Bank; Eduardo's workplace
13

Final scene and uncertain visitor

In the film's last moment, Eduardo is alone in his apartment when the doorbell rings. He looks through the peephole and his face lights up with joy at the prospect of a visitor, though the identity is never shown.

evening Eduardo's apartment

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:26

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Hidden Pleasures Summary

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Hidden Pleasures Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Hidden Pleasures

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Hidden Pleasures

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