XXY

The Kraken family moves from Argentina to a seaside village in Uruguay to escape bullying and rigid gender expectations. Néstor, a marine biologist, has published on sexuality and helps treat wounded animals, while Suli hopes the change will protect Alex and allow her to live more freely. The relocation marks the opening chapter of the family's attempt to redefine their lives.

The visiting surgeon, his wife, and Álvaro arrive under the pretext of friendship, but the real agenda is to discuss possible sex reassignment surgery for Alex. Suli quietly hopes Alex will choose to become female and pursue surgery, while Néstor remains focused on Alex's wellbeing. The scene sets up the conflict between medical options and personal autonomy.

Alex has recently stopped taking medications that suppress masculine features and promote feminization. The change triggers new physical developments that complicate her attempts to present as female. She keeps her decision from her parents, heightening the emotional tension in the household. The move from medication to natural development becomes a central undercurrent of the story.

Alex and Álvaro meet and the relationship begins to unfold. She asks him directly if he would like to have sex; he initially refuses but then follows her to the beach, and she seduces him. They begin a sexual encounter on the beach, with Alex taking the penetrative role. Néstor catches a glimpse through a doorway, halting the moment and leaving Álvaro unsettled about the reversal of gender roles.

After the incident, Álvaro admits that he liked what happened and has no hard feelings toward Alex. His response unsettles the expectations of his conservative upbringing and his parents, who worry about what his openness might mean. The moment marks a turning point where both characters begin to question their identities and desires. The family dynamics start shifting in light of the event.

Following the beach episode, Néstor seeks guidance from a transgender man he had read about in newspapers. The man emphasizes Alex's autonomy and praises the parents for not deciding for her at birth. He reassures Néstor that Alex's path is hers to choose, not theirs to impose. This conversation provides a framework for the film's broader questions about gender and autonomy.

The film highlights the town's curiosity about Alex's genitals, using the surrounding gossip to illustrate the fragility of privacy in a tight-knit community. Scenes on the beach and in public spaces expose the pressure Alex faces to conform. The tension between desire, secrecy, and safety drives much of the drama.

Three village boys forcibly pull down Alex's pants to expose her genitals, leaving her humiliated and traumatized. The attack forces her to confront the dangers of living openly with intersex identity in the village. Néstor contemplates reporting the crime but fears wide-reaching gossip and stigma, while Alex asserts her autonomy by rejecting resumed medications or surgery.

In the aftermath of the assault, Alex remains firm that there is nothing to choose between male or female identities. When her father asks whether she wants to pursue a medical path, she answers, 'What if there is nothing to choose?' This moment emphasizes her determination to define herself on her own terms. The film shifts away from medical options toward personal autonomy.

Álvaro and his family prepare to board the boat back to Buenos Aires, leaving the village. The tension between him and Alex lingers as they share a final moment near a sea wall, framing a possible, fragile connection. Álvaro reveals he has started wearing the turtle tag she gave him, signaling a lasting if uncertain bond. They acknowledge they may not see each other again.

In a closing moment, Álvaro sits behind a sea wall with Alex as a private interaction unfolds. He notices her genitals when she lowers her pants, and the camera lingers, underscoring the audience's curiosity that remains unfulfilled. Alex and Álvaro exchange questions about what their future holds, choosing complexity over resolution.

The film ends with Alex and her family walking down the boardwalk toward the ocean, holding onto each other as the horizon stretches ahead. The final shot emphasizes resilience, acceptance, and the ongoing struggle for self-definition. The escape from the guests and the open sea symbolize moving forward into an uncertain future.