Stories from the Kronen

A group of friends in their early twenties spends their summer vacation around the Kronen, the bar where Manolo bartends and fronts a rock band. Carlos leads the group, chasing pleasure through drinking, drugs, partying and casual sex. Amalia re-enters the circle attracted by Carlos' charm, setting the stage for new tensions.

Carlos rekindles his relationship with Amalia, drawing her deeper into the group's orbit. Amalia's presence shifts the dynamics as she becomes a central figure amid the carefree chaos. The friends' bond begins to bend under romance and flirtation.

Roberto, the more serious and scrupulous member, harbors repressed homosexual feelings toward Carlos. This unspoken tension gnaws at their friendship and foreshadows deeper emotional conflicts. He remains the drummer in Manolo's band, keeping a wary eye on the group's excesses.

Pedro is the physically weakest member, with health issues including diabetes and a missing kidney. Carlos bullies him, exploiting his delicacy to assert dominance. The dynamic highlights the precarious balance of power within the circle.

They go to see Roberto's favorite film, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. In the dark, Roberto is aroused by a moment where Carlos is sexually playful with Amalia, revealing his own conflicted feelings. The scene tests the limits of their friendships and boundaries.

An argument between Pedro and a stranger escalates into a dare to hang from a bridge over a highway to prove who can endure longer. The police intervene and Carlos and Pedro are detained, exposing the consequences of their reckless bravado. The incident underscores how quickly their thrills can turn into trouble.

Carlos's father, a lawyer, intervenes to secure their release from jail. The bail-out shows a functional family connection that contrasts with Carlos's neglect of others. Yet it does not resolve the underlying moral and emotional tensions.

During his parents' wedding anniversary, Carlos's sister voices despair over his lack of family values and his wild, day-night lifestyle. Her frustration points to the emotional cost of Carlos's behavior on those around him. She longs for a sense of responsibility he rarely shows.

Carlos clings to his old, ailing grandfather who had mentored him, but the grandfather dies. The loss marks a turning point as Carlos faces mortality and the fading of his mentor's influence. The moment adds a sobering layer to his reckless confidence.

To celebrate his birthday, Pedro hosts a party at his house. Carlos pressures him and forces him to drink a bottle of scotch, with fatal consequences. Pedro dies as a result, turning the celebration into tragedy.