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The Opposite of Sex (1998) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Opposite of Sex (1998) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1998 · 105 min · English
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Directed by
Don Roos
Starring
Christina Ricci, Martin Donovan, Lisa Kudrow

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.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like The Opposite of Sex
  8. 8 Every angle
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3 main characters · contains spoilers

The Opposite of Sex Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Opposite of Sex (1998), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Dede Truitt (Christina Ricci)

    Dede is a self-centered and manipulative teenager who thrives on chaos and disruption. Her impulsive nature leads her to make shocking decisions, including seducing her brother's partner and faking a pregnancy. Throughout the film, Dede's character navigates a complex web of relationships, ultimately revealing her need for acceptance and fear of commitment.

    • 😈 Manipulative
    • 🎭 Complex
    • 🚀 Impulsive
  • Bill (Martin Donovan)

    As Dede's half-brother, Bill serves as a stabilizing force trying to navigate the turmoil that Dede brings into his life. He is a dedicated teacher caught between his familial obligations and personal struggles. Bill's character represents the voice of reason and moral integrity, constantly wrestling with Dede's chaotic influence.

    • 🧑‍🏫 Teacher
    • 🛡️ Protector
    • 🥴 Struggling
  • Lucia (Lisa Kudrow)

    Lucia, Bill's cautious companion, embodies the hope for stability amid Dede's turmoil. She is depicted as sensible and caring, attempting to understand the complexity of the unfolding events. Throughout the film, Lucia seeks to support her brother while confronting her own feelings, leading to her eventual love interest with Carl.

    • ❤️ Supportive
    • 🤔 Reflective
    • 🌟 Hopeful

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:46

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Setting

Where and When Does The Opposite of Sex Take Place?

The setting of The Opposite of Sex (1998): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The events of the movie take place in contemporary times, reflecting the societal issues and cultural norms of the late 1990s. This period was characterized by evolving views on relationships and familial responsibilities, which is echoed in Dede's complex decisions throughout the film.

Location

Indiana, Canada

The film predominantly unfolds in a conservative suburb of Indiana, known for its quiet neighborhoods and traditional values. The stark contrast comes into play when Dede's chaotic life clashes with the expectations of suburban living. The latter part of the story takes the characters to Canada, symbolizing a place for potential new beginnings and escape.

  • 🏡 Suburb
  • 🌲 Wilderness

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:46

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3 major themes

The Opposite of Sex Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Opposite of Sex (1998) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Chaos

    The theme of chaos is prevalent throughout the film as Dede's self-centered actions create turmoil in the lives of those around her. Her manipulative behavior leads to a series of disastrous events, from seducing her brother's partner to orchestrating the theft of her stepfather's ashes. This chaos ultimately forces the characters to confront their inner demons and the consequences of their choices.

  • Heartbreak

    Heartbreak is a recurring theme as the characters grapple with the emotional fallout of Dede's choices. Relationships are strained, and trust is shattered in the wake of her impulsive actions. The film portrays the ripple effects of her decisions on her family and friends, encapsulating the painful reality of lost love and familial ties.

  • Escape

    The concept of escape is symbolically intertwined with Dede's character, who seeks to evade the realities of her life through reckless behavior. Her flight to Canada represents an attempt to flee the consequences of her actions, yet it also highlights the futility in running away from one’s responsibilities. Ultimately, characters discover that true escape is found in accepting confronting their past.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:46

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Character & theme questions

The Opposite of Sex Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Opposite of Sex (1998): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is The Opposite of Sex set?

The film takes place primarily in a conservative Indiana suburb, a setting chosen for its contrast with Dede's chaotic personality. The latter part of the story moves to Canada, which symbolizes escape and new beginnings for the characters.

  • indiana
  • setting
  • canada
  • suburb
  • location
Q2

What time period does the movie depict?

The story is set in contemporary times during the late 1990s, a period marked by evolving views on relationships and family dynamics. This context shapes the characters' struggles with traditional values versus personal desires.

  • 1990s
  • time period
  • contemporary
  • 1998
  • era
Q3

What does the chaos theme represent in the film?

Chaos in the film stems from Dede's self-centered and manipulative actions, which disrupt everyone around her. Her impulsive decisions, including seducing her brother's partner and orchestrating the theft of her stepfather's ashes, create a domino effect of disastrous events that force characters to confront their own flaws.

  • chaos
  • theme
  • manipulation
  • destructive behavior
Q4

How is heartbreak explored in the movie?

Heartbreak manifests through the emotional devastation caused by Dede's choices. Her actions strain relationships and shatter trust, creating a ripple effect that damages familial bonds and romantic connections throughout the story.

  • heartbreak
  • theme
  • relationships
  • emotional fallout
Q5

What does escape symbolize in The Opposite of Sex?

Escape is symbolized through Dede's flight to Canada, representing her attempt to flee consequences of her actions. However, the film suggests that true escape isn't possible, characters ultimately must confront their pasts rather than run from them.

  • escape
  • canada
  • symbolism
  • running away
  • confrontation
Q6

Who is Dede Truitt and what defines her character?

Dede Truitt is a self-centered and manipulative teenage girl who inserts herself into her gay half-brother Bill's life. Her defining traits include impulsive behavior, a talent for deception (including faking a pregnancy), and a deep-seated need for acceptance paired with a fear of commitment.

  • dede trutt
  • protagonist
  • manipulative
  • teenager
  • character
Q7

What is Bill's role in the story?

Bill is Dede's half-brother and a dedicated teacher who serves as the film's voice of reason. He represents moral integrity and stability, constantly trying to manage the chaos Dede brings while wrestling with his own personal struggles and familial obligations.

  • bill
  • half-brother
  • teacher
  • voice of reason
  • character
Q8

Who is Lucia and what is her function in the film?

Lucia is Bill's cautious companion who embodies stability and sensibility amid Dede's turmoil. She attempts to understand the unfolding chaos while supporting Bill, eventually finding her own path toward happiness with Carl.

  • lucia
  • bill's partner
  • supportive
  • caring
  • character
Q9

What is the tone of the film?

The film features a dark, sardonic tone driven by the protagonist's cynical narration. While it deals with serious themes like death, scandal, and imprisonment, the darkly comedic framing prevents the material from becoming overwhelming, creating a bittersweet equilibrium.

  • tone
  • dark comedy
  • cynical
  • sardonic
  • humor
Q10

What makes the narrative complex?

The narrative complexity arises from an intricate web of lies with multiple conflicting motivations, Dede's manipulation, Bill's desperation to protect his reputation, Lucia's cautious interference, and a blackmail subplot involving Jason. This layering creates a story where truth and deception constantly intertwine.

  • narrative
  • complexity
  • lies
  • plot
  • structure
Q11

How does the ending resolve?

The ending is bittersweet: characters like Lucia, Matt, and Jason find new beginnings, and Dede shows a hint of growth by leaving her child with Bill. However, her final cynical monologue underscores that the damage she caused has lasting consequences, leaving both hope and lingering pain.

  • ending
  • bittersweet
  • resolution
  • conclusion
  • final scene

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Opposite of Sex, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Opposite of Sex tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies with sardonic narrators and chaotic plots like The Opposite of Sex

Stories where a cynical protagonist orchestrates a spiral of deception and disaster. If you enjoyed the sharp-tongued narration and escalating chaos of The Opposite of Sex, explore similar movies where cynical protagonists guide you through self-inflicted disasters. These films blend dark comedy with fast-paced plots of manipulation and scandal, perfect for viewers who like their humor served with a side of moral ambiguity.

  • sardonic
  • chaotic
  • darkly funny
  • unreliable narrator
  • anxious
  • cynical
  • Tone: dark, sarcastic
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread typically begin with a single, often selfish, act that snowballs into uncontrollable chaos. A charismatic but unreliable narrator provides a running commentary, exposing the flaws of everyone involved while rarely taking responsibility. The story structure is propelled by a series of rapid-fire complications, usually involving lies, theft, and frantic cover-ups that test familial or social bonds.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared combination of a specific narrative voice—sardonic, witty, and detached—and a plot structure defined by rapid escalation and chaotic consequences. The tone consistently blends dark humor with dramatic stakes, creating a unique vibe where the audience is both appalled by and complicit in the protagonist's actions.

Dysfunctional family dramedies with bittersweet endings like The Opposite of Sex

Complex family dynamics unravel, leading to painful but revealing conclusions. Fans of The Opposite of Sex will appreciate these movies that explore messy, non-traditional families navigating scandal and secrets. These similar stories mix drama and comedy, culminating in bittersweet endings where characters are forever changed but find a fragile new equilibrium, much like the conclusion of this film.

  • family dysfunction
  • bittersweet
  • reflective
  • moral ambiguity
  • chaotic
  • unsettling
  • Tone: bittersweet, darkly comic
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern focuses on a family unit—biological or chosen—being thrown into crisis by an external force or a revealed secret. Character arcs involve facing hard truths about themselves and each other. The conflict exposes raw emotions and moral compromises. While the central crisis is resolved, the ending is tinged with sadness for what was lost, yet offers a glimmer of hope or acceptance for the new reality.

Why they belong together: These films share a core focus on the complex, often painful, bonds of family. They are united by a tone that deftly mixes humor and pathos, a medium-to-high level of emotional complexity, and most importantly, an ending feel that is decidedly bittersweet—acknowledging growth and survival without sugarcoating the damage done.

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Movies Like The Opposite of Sex

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Every angle

The Opposite of Sex (1998) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Opposite of Sex in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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