The Opposite of Sex

The Opposite of Sex

Year: 1998

Runtime: 105 min

Language: English

Director: Don Roos

DramaComedyRomance

A pregnant teenager unexpectedly inserts herself into the life of her gay half-brother, triggering a series of lies and escalating chaos. As the truth emerges, a frantic effort to protect his reputation unfolds, exposing complex family dynamics and the unpredictable fallout from hidden desires and calculated deceptions. The situation reveals surprising consequences and tests the bonds between them.

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The Opposite of Sex (1998) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Opposite of Sex (1998), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

The movie is a darkly comedic tale revolving around the self-centered and manipulative teenager, Dede Truitt. After a tumultuous funeral for her stepfather, she decides to flee her home and move in with her half-brother, Bill, a dedicated teacher navigating life in a conservative Indiana suburb.

Dede quickly entangles herself in chaotic relationships, seducing Bill’s young partner, Matt (Ivan Sergei), and deceitfully convincing him he is the father of her imagined pregnancy. In reality, the child’s true father is her past lover, Randy Cates (William Lee Scott). Their impulsive elopement triggers Bill and Lucia, Tom’s sister and his cautious companion, to embark on a wild chase to locate Dede and Matt, hoping to rectify the brewing scandal.

Amid this chaos, Matt’s former fling, Jason Bock (Johnny Galecki), threatens to expose a dark secret, alleging that Bill assaulted him during his school days. As the plot unfolds, they find Dede and Matt, only to realize she has stolen Tom’s ashes, seeking a ransom to return them. Randy’s arrival complicates matters further, as he and Dede plan to abscond with the ashes and start anew.

In an unforeseen twist, an argument escalates to tragedy, resulting in Dede accidentally killing Randy. They flee to Canada, but their troubles are far from over. After the birth of Randy Jr., Dedee faces the repercussions of her choices and returns the stolen ashes, expressing remorse for her actions. Following a short stint in prison, she moves back in with Bill, while Matt and Jason set off on their own journey and Lucia finds love with her old friend Carl (Lyle Lovett).

Ultimately, Dede, acknowledging that Randy Jr. would thrive better with Bill, makes the bold decision to leave once again. In her sardonic narration, she concludes that sex ultimately leads to entrapments like children, diseases, and heartbreaking relationships. The film wraps up with glimpses of authentic affection among the characters, starkly contrasting the fleeting nature of physical desire. The conclusion leaves audiences wondering if Dede will ever reconcile with her family.

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 22:46

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Opposite of Sex

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Opposite of Sex

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