Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! 1990

Ricky, a 23-year-old psychiatric patient, has recently been declared cured and released from a mental health facility. During his time there, he had an illicit affair with the hospital’s female director. Now, an orphan navigating an uncertain future, his ultimate dream is to lead a normal life alongside Marina Osorio, an ex-porn star and recovering drug addict with whom he once had a fleeting connection during a daring escape from the asylum.

As Marina is busy filming The Midnight Phantom, a Euro-horror flick centered around a love story involving a mutilated and masked muscleman, she is under the guidance of Máximo Espejo, a seasoned director now confined to a wheelchair due to a stroke. Máximo, who acts as a mentor to Marina, is fiercely protective of her, ready to dismiss anyone who utters derogatory terms associated with her past. His obsession with her adds a layer of tension, as he longs for what may be his final chance to direct a female lead.

Ricky’s attempts to integrate into Marina’s life are anything but welcome. He resorts to theft on the set, grabbing items including the keys to her apartment, all the while trying to gain her attention by performing a handstand in a wig. However, Marina’s memory of him is faint, leading her to disregard him entirely.

After wrapping up the final scene, Marina prepares for a post-shoot celebration but soon finds herself in a precarious situation when Ricky follows her home. In a shocking act, he forces his way in, restraining her with ropes and tape. When Marina regains consciousness, she’s struck by intense pain from her teeth, exacerbated by her addiction to stronger substances. Ricky, with misguided affection, believes that if she gets to know him, love will blossom, despite her vehement protests.

In her agony, Marina convinces Ricky to take her to a doctor, but her chance to communicate her dire situation slips away when they fail to secure the necessary medication. Desperate, Ricky resorts to black market dealings, yet his attempts lead to violence when he tries to rob a dealer.

As the film’s wrap party unfolds, Lola, Marina’s sister and the film’s assistant director, shines with a musical performance, while simultaneously growing concerned about Marina’s fate. When she checks on her sister, she leaves a note, unaware of the chaos ensuing behind closed doors. To maintain secrecy, Ricky moves Marina to a neighboring apartment owned by a friend, but complications arise when that friend entrusts Lola with access to the keys.

On the streets, Ricky crosses paths with the dealer he attacked, resulting in a brutal beating that leaves him incapacitated. Meanwhile, with Ricky out of sight, Marina seizes an opportunity to escape. Yet upon his return, albeit injured and vulnerable, she begins to recognize his unwavering devotion to her.

As they navigate the complexities of their relationship, Marina finds herself drawn to Ricky, culminating in intimacy and plans to journey to his hometown. Strangely, she insists on remaining tied up for fear of running away, yet her sister’s sudden appearance completely alters the course of events. Lola unfurls the truth of Marina’s feelings towards her captor, ultimately leading to a reluctant acceptance.

In a turn of fate, the three of them make their way to the dilapidated remains of Ricky’s childhood home, igniting a bittersweet reunion with the past. As they prepare to leave the ruins for the city, Lola embraces Ricky into the family fold, promising him a job in the near future. This emotional moment compels Marina to tears, and together, they drive off harmoniously, singing “Resistiré” (“I will prevail”), embracing a newfound, albeit unconventional, family bond.