That Obscure Object of Desire

The film opens with Mathieu on a train journey from Seville to Paris, attempting to escape his tumultuous relationship with Conchita. As the train is about to leave, he sees Conchita running after him, disheveled and injured, desperate to join him.

In a moment of shock, Mathieu splashes a bucket of water on Conchita, intending to deter her. Instead of turning away, she climbs aboard the train, defying his attempts to escape their complicated love story.

As the train journey progresses, other passengers, including a mother and daughter, a judge, and a dwarf psychologist, observe Mathieu's aggressive demeanor. They begin to question his motives, which shifts the narrative into a flashback of his relationship with Conchita.

Amidst their tumultuous interactions, Conchita claims to be just 18 years old, yet she displays an unusual maturity. She tantalizes Mathieu with promises of intimacy, while wielding the power to deny him satisfaction.

One of the more memorable moments involves Conchita wearing a tightly laced corset, making physical intimacy impossible between her and Mathieu. This serves as a metaphor for their stifling relationship, filled with longing and frustration.

Mathieu's world crumbles further when he finds a young man secretly residing in Conchita's apartment. This startling revelation leads to a cycle of breakups and reconciliations, further deepening his confusion and heartache.

In a moment of anger and despair, Mathieu encounters Conchita performing nude for tourists in a nightclub. Initially furious, he ultimately forgives her and even buys her a house, trying to salvage their fractured relationship.

After moving into the house, a painful confrontation occurs when Conchita denies Mathieu entry. She expresses her disdain for him, ultimately rejecting him despite his efforts to create a life together.

Later that night, Mathieu is confronted and held at gunpoint during a carjacking. The trauma of this event leads to a violent confrontation with Conchita when she attempts to apologize for her earlier behavior.

In a heated moment, after she claims the encounter was staged, Mathieu strikes Conchita, resulting in her being bruised and bandaged. This cycle of violence and regret culminates in the tumultuous nature of their love.

As the train passengers absorb Mathieu's tale, Conchita unexpectedly splashes him with water once again. Despite their chaotic past, they momentarily reconcile, stepping off the train back into each other's arms.

In a dizzying finale, the couple walks through the streets of Madrid, surrounded by political upheaval and chaos. Their emotional connection is once again tested as they face the uncertainty of their future amidst the turbulence.

The film reaches its climax as the couple argues in a Paris shopping mall, with loudspeakers announcing impending terror. Just as tensions peak, a catastrophic explosion rocks the mall, leaving their fates uncertain.

As terrorist threats loom, chaos ensues in the shopping mall, underscoring the political tensions that permeate their story. The violent backdrop serves as a metaphor for the turmoil in their relationship and the world around them.