Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!

Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!

Year: 1989

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: Spanish

Director: Pedro Almodóvar

RomanceDramaComedy

A love story… With strings attached! Recently released from a mental hospital, Ricky ties up Marina, a film star he once had sex with and keeps her hostage.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! 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!

Timeline – Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1989)

Trace every key event in Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1989) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Ricky is released from the psychiatric hospital

Ricky, a 23-year-old psychiatric patient deemed cured, is released from the hospital after his treatment. He has been the lover of the hospital's female director and now dreams of starting a normal life with Marina Osorio, a former porn star in recovery. His plan centers on building a life with Marina once he’s free from institutional constraints.

Psychiatric hospital
2

Marina shoots The Midnight Phantom under director Máximo Espejo

At a studio, Marina films The Midnight Phantom, a Euro-horror tale about a mutilated, masked lover. Máximo Espejo, confined to a wheelchair after a stroke, mentors her and sternly guards against journalists who mention porn or junkies. He is secretly attracted to Marina and treats directing her as one last, intense opportunity to shape a film with a female lead.

Film studio / set
3

Ricky infiltrates the film set and steals from Marina

Ricky arrives at the set, steals items including the keys to Marina's apartment, and becomes an unwelcome presence in her life. Wearing a wig, he performs a handstand to catch her attention, but Marina does not recognize him and dismisses the intrusion. The encounter seeds a dangerous obsession that will follow her off-set.

Film studio / set
4

Ricky abducts Marina at her apartment

After filming the last scene, Ricky follows Marina to her apartment and forces entry. He headbutts her to silence her screams, tapes her mouth, and binds her to the bed. Marina awakens in pain from a drug-related toothache, realizing Ricky intends to captivate her and force a bond through captivity.

Marina's apartment
5

Ricky attempts to obtain painkillers through the black market

Marina is taken to a doctor in search of pain relief, but the needed painkillers are unavailable. They fail to obtain the drugs from the pharmacy, prompting Ricky to attempt buying them on the black market. When a dealer demands an exorbitant price, Ricky resorts to violence to steal the tablets.

Clinic
6

Lola's wrap party spotlight and Marina's disappearance

At the wrap party, Lola, Marina's sister and the film's assistant director, steals the show with a musical number. Worried about Marina's sudden absence, Lola visits Marina's apartment and leaves a note, sensing something has gone wrong. The party atmosphere contrasts with Marina's growing peril.

Wrap party venue
7

Ricky moves Marina to the neighboring empty apartment

To avoid being discovered, Ricky relocates Marina to the neighboring empty apartment, using the owner’s keys that Lola has for watering plants. The shift buys time while he tightens his control over her. Marina becomes further isolated from any potential help.

Marina's building / neighboring apartment
8

Ricky is spotted by the dealer and beaten

On the street, the dealer Ricky attacked recognizes him and confronts him. Ricky is beaten, robbed, and left unconscious, creating a vulnerable moment that jeopardizes Marina's captivity and alters the power dynamic between them.

City street
9

Marina's escape attempt and growing attachment to Ricky

In Ricky's absence, Marina makes a desperate attempt to escape from captivity but fails to break free. When Ricky returns, covered in blood and injuries, she sees his vulnerability and dedication, and begins to fall in love with him. They finally have sex and decide to visit Ricky's hometown together.

Marina's captivity location
10

Lola discovers Marina and agrees to drive her to Ricky's hometown

Lola re-enters the apartment, finds Marina bound, and Marina confesses her love for her captor to Lola. Although surprised, Lola accepts the reality and agrees to drive Marina to Ricky's hometown to reunite with him.

Marina's apartment
11

Reunion at the ruins and return to the city

The trio locates Ricky in the ruins of his family house in a deserted village. They all climb into Lola's car to return to the city, forming an unlikely bond as they head home together.

Ricky's hometown ruins
12

Final acceptance and road trip as a makeshift family

Lola accepts Ricky as part of the family and promises to help him find a job. Marina cries, but the group drives off together, singing Resistiré as they head back to the city, marking an unusual, hopeful unity.

Road / car journey

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:31

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Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!

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