-->
Year: 1998
Runtime: 105 min
Language: English
Director: Don Roos
In this biting comedy-drama, a pregnant 16-year-old sets off a chain reaction of deceit and chaos when she manipulates her way into the life of her gay half-brother. As truth unravels, a desperate search ensues to clear his name and restore order, revealing the unpredictable consequences of desire, deception, and family secrets.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen The Opposite of Sex yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
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
The Opposite of Sex (1998) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
The Opposite of Sex (1998) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like The Opposite of Sex – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Sex Is Comedy (2004) Full Summary & Key Details
The Good Girl (2002) Detailed Story Recap
Unpregnant (2020) Full Summary & Key Details
The Upside of Anger (2005) Story Summary & Characters
The Rules of Attraction (2002) Full Movie Breakdown
Tadpole (2002) Movie Recap & Themes
Gayby (2012) Movie Recap & Themes
Boy Meets Girl (2015) Film Overview & Timeline
The Next Best Thing (2000) Story Summary & Characters
Say It Isn't So (2001) Full Movie Breakdown
A Family Affair (2003) Movie Recap & Themes
Boys and Girls (2000) Complete Plot Breakdown
Totally F***ed Up (1993) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
The Olivia Experiment (2014) Full Summary & Key Details
A Family Affair (2024) Full Summary & Key Details