The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz

In a present-day framing, Archibaldo tells a nun about his childhood and the genesis of his chilling power. He hints at a deadly curiosity that will shape his future actions and confessions.

During the Mexican Revolution, Archibaldo's indulgent mother gives him the music box, and the stern governess claims it can kill enemies. When he winds it, a stray bullet kills the governess, convincing him that he has lethal influence.

Driven by his new sense of power, Archibaldo confronts the nun with a straight razor. The nun escapes but falls down an open elevator shaft, an event he believes he caused.

Back in the present, a judge investigates a deadly incident and Archibaldo confesses that the nun was killed by his hand. He implies other deaths are tied to his gifts, though the judge claims no crime has been proven yet.

Weeks earlier, Archibaldo spots Lavinia in an antique shop and persuades the salesman to sell him the music box by fabricating a story about its connection to his mother and the Revolution. He fabricates the backstory to secure the sale. The box becomes a magnet that will shape his life.

Back at home, Archibaldo winds the box and cuts himself shaving. The sight of his blood triggers vivid recalls of the governess' corpse, deepening his bizarre fascination with death.

Archibaldo begins courting Carlota Cervantes. He gives her a handmade vase and confesses feelings that scare him; Alejandro, her married rival, looms over their relationship.

At the gambling parlor, Archibaldo spots Patricia Terrazas and overhears her quarrel with Willy Corduran. He follows her when she storms off and goes to his house to fetch a razor. He imagines killing her, but Willy interrupts as the couple begin to kiss.

In the morning, a police detective informs Archibaldo that Patricia has committed suicide. He then goes to a bar where he spots Lavinia, who seems to glow around flames in her drink, and she provides an address for contact.

Archibaldo visits the address Lavinia gave him and discovers it is a dress shop, with no sign of Lavinia—only a mannequin that looks like her. Lavinia arrives and is amused by his persistence, agreeing to come to his home supposedly to model.

Lavinia swaps clothes with the mannequin to play a trick on Archibaldo. He tries to kiss her, but she resists; Lavinia kisses him and keeps the mannequin's clothes on.

A tour group bursts into the studio; Lavinia claims she invited them, which infuriates Archibaldo. The moment underscores the instability of their relationship as deception blends with desire.

After Lavinia leaves to pursue other plans, Archibaldo melts the mannequin in the kiln. Carlota accepts his proposal, though her mother remains tearful and anxious. Shortly before the wedding, Archibaldo is summoned to Alejandro's apartment, where he watches Carlota enter and Alejandro close the blinds, fueling a fantasy of killing her on the wedding night; after the ceremony, Alejandro shoots Carlota instead.

Having heard Archibaldo's confession, the judge concludes he has the potential to be criminal but has not committed any crimes. Grasping responsibility for the deaths, Archibaldo returns home, stops the music box, and throws it into a lake. He then encounters Lavinia, who did not marry, and they walk away together.