The Method

As seven candidates arrive for a job interview in Madrid, public protests erupt in the streets against the IMF-World Bank Summit. The demonstrations highlight rising tensions regarding workers' rights and globalization, setting a chaotic backdrop for the interview.

The candidates gather in a corporate meeting room high above the city to start the group interview. Tensions rise when one candidate refuses to comply with redundant paperwork, questioning the legitimacy of the Grönholm Method being employed.

The group is tasked with identifying a traitor among them, as one candidate is secretly working for the corporation. Carlos and Nieves, who are familiar with each other, vouch for their past, but ultimately the group votes for Enrique, whose status remains ambiguous.

The candidates decide to elect a leader, ultimately selecting Julio who has a controversial past. As the candidates debate giving him a second chance, Ana's vote seals his expulsion from the group, revealing the cutthroat nature of their selection process.

Faced with a hypothetical scenario of survival after a nuclear holocaust, the candidates must decide who gets into a bunker. Promising to bear children, Nieves plays to the men's instincts, but Ana's expulsion due to age and gender exposes the biases in their decision-making.

During a break, receptionist Montse informs the candidates of the chaos outside while the protests escalate. Ricardo reveals his past as a union leader to Enrique, hinting that the company could have damaging information on him.

As pressure mounts, Enrique breaks down and inadvertently betrays Ricardo's secret identity as a company psychologist. The revelation shakes the atmosphere, highlighting the moral complexities and personal sacrifices involved.

An odd exchange of shirts occurs among Carlos, Fernando, and Nieves, showcasing the competitive spirit among the candidates. This moment escalates when Fernando attempts to seduce Nieves, but she adeptly uses the situation to manipulate him, leaving him frustrated.

Ricardo introduces a ball game to ease tensions, with each candidate impersonating a different nationality. What starts as a light exercise quickly turns contentious, leading to insults and triggering Fernando's feelings of confusion and aggression.

During the break, Carlos and Nieves engage in flirtation, reflecting on their past relationship and contemplating their future. They decide to unite and leave the selection process together, questioning the value of the job versus their connection.

As Nieves retrieves her coat, she hesitates before the door, knowing it could secure her a job at the cost of her relationship with Carlos. This pivotal moment underscores the conflict between personal desires and professional aspirations.

Carlos faces his own dilemma in the elevator, torn between love and ambition. Ultimately deciding to return to the meeting room, he focuses on winning the job, demonstrating the extent to which the environment distorts human relationships.

As Nieves exits the corporate building, she is confronted with the aftermath of the violent protests outside. The once vibrant atmosphere has transformed into a desolate scene, symbolizing her lost opportunities and the hefty toll of ambition.

Walking through the desolate streets, Nieves processes her experiences and choices throughout the day. The reality of her surroundings serves as a stark reminder of what she sacrificed for the sake of love over ambition.