Year of the Nail

Year of the Nail

Year: 2007

Runtime: 78 mins

Language: Spanish

Director: Jonás Cuarón

DramaRomance

A love story between a Mexican teenager and an American woman who meet one summer in Mexico.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Year of the Nail (2007)

Trace every key event in Year of the Nail (2007) 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

Molly arrives in Mexico to study and photograph

Molly, an American college student, travels to Mexico to study Spanish and pursue photography. She hopes to explore ancient ruins and capture the landscape between lessons, but quickly finds herself pulled into a party-focused crowd. The journey sets up a quiet, personal project that competes with the chaos around her.

early in the term Mexico
2

Diego's crush and a moment of bravado on the soccer field

Diego secretly falls in love with his cousin Jero García, a crush that fuels awkward bravado and self-consciousness. In one moment of trying to impress her, he injures a toenail during a local soccer game. The scene underscores the gap between yearning and maturity.

during a game Diego's neighborhood; local soccer field
3

Molly returns for a break and moves in with Mariana

During a school break, Molly returns to Mexico to photograph ruins she previously missed. She ends up renting a room from Mariana Elizondo, Diego's mother, to help raise money for an operation for Diego's grandfather. This close living arrangement begins to bridge the distance between her world and Diego's.

during a term break Mariana's home
4

Bonding near the grandmother's ranch

As they share space, Molly and Diego begin to spend more time together and a quiet bond forms. Much of their time unfolds at the beach near Diego's grandmother's ranch, where the landscape mirrors their growing connection. The contrast between Molly's growing curiosity and Diego's guarded feelings gently deepens the tension.

in the days following Beaches near Diego's grandmother's ranch
5

Growing tension as feelings deepen

Diego's feelings deepen, but he keeps them guarded and unspoken, while Molly's worldview continues to widen. The two navigate their different ages and life stages, letting the connection linger with unspoken possibilities. Their days together hint at something larger simmering beneath the surface.

over the following weeks Mexico
6

Molly leaves; Diego schemes to visit NYC

When Molly eventually leaves, Diego secretly buys a plane ticket to New York City to visit her. He tells his parents he's going camping with friends for the weekend to keep the trip secret. The gesture reveals his willingness to bridge their worlds, despite the age difference.

after Molly's departure Mexico
7

A day in New York: Coney Island and truth

In New York, Diego calls Molly and arrives to accompany his father on a business trip, but his true purpose emerges. Molly invites him to Coney Island, and they spend a day together navigating the divide between their different lives. The outing becomes a test of whether their bond can survive real-world gaps.

during the NYC trip New York City; Coney Island
8

Revelation and boundary-setting

Before returning home, Diego reveals his trip wasn't with his father, and his visit was a sincere, if ill-judged, attempt to see her. Molly responds with warmth but notes the age difference and changes her phone number to prevent easy contact. The moment marks a clear boundary between their worlds.

end of NYC visit New York
9

Months later: a third trip to Mexico

Months after the NYC visit, Molly returns to Mexico for a third time, still having never photographed the ruins she sought. She travels there alone, without her camera, and debates whether to reach out to Diego but senses he has likely moved on.

months later Mexico
10

Diego's growing romance with Jero

Back in Mexico, Diego is already pursuing a new romance, talking with Jero García about girls. He carries on with his life, clearly moving on from Molly's departure. The film sets up a world where their paths may never cross again.

later in the story Mexico
11

Molly decides not to reach out

Molly decides not to initiate contact, preserving the distance between their separate lives. She accepts that Diego may have moved on and chooses to focus on her own journey instead. The decision seals the emotional arc of their divergent paths.

after returning for the third time Mexico
12

Ending: Diego and Jero, future romances

The film closes with Diego chatting casually with Jero about girls, already pursuing a new romance and offering no mention of Molly. The spark between Molly and Diego remains unresolved, replaced by new love interests and onward lives.

final scene Mexico

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:43

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Year of the Nail Summary

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Year of the Nail Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Year of the Nail

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Year of the Nail Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Year of the Nail

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