The Opposite of Sex 1998

Drama

Comedy

Romance

Box Office

$5.9M

Runtime

105 min

Language

English

Directed by

Don Roos

Made by

Sony Pictures Classics

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The Opposite of Sex Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Opposite of Sex (1998). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

The movie is a darkly comedic tale revolving around the self-centered and manipulative teenager, Dede Truitt. After a tumultuous funeral for her stepfather, she decides to flee her home and move in with her half-brother, Bill, a dedicated teacher navigating life in a conservative Indiana suburb.

Dede quickly entangles herself in chaotic relationships, seducing Bill’s young partner, Matt (Ivan Sergei), and deceitfully convincing him he is the father of her imagined pregnancy. In reality, the child’s true father is her past lover, Randy Cates (William Lee Scott). Their impulsive elopement triggers Bill and Lucia, Tom’s sister and his cautious companion, to embark on a wild chase to locate Dede and Matt, hoping to rectify the brewing scandal.

Amid this chaos, Matt’s former fling, Jason Bock (Johnny Galecki), threatens to expose a dark secret, alleging that Bill assaulted him during his school days. As the plot unfolds, they find Dede and Matt, only to realize she has stolen Tom’s ashes, seeking a ransom to return them. Randy’s arrival complicates matters further, as he and Dede plan to abscond with the ashes and start anew.

In an unforeseen twist, an argument escalates to tragedy, resulting in Dede accidentally killing Randy. They flee to Canada, but their troubles are far from over. After the birth of Randy Jr., Dedee faces the repercussions of her choices and returns the stolen ashes, expressing remorse for her actions. Following a short stint in prison, she moves back in with Bill, while Matt and Jason set off on their own journey and Lucia finds love with her old friend Carl (Lyle Lovett).

Ultimately, Dede, acknowledging that Randy Jr. would thrive better with Bill, makes the bold decision to leave once again. In her sardonic narration, she concludes that sex ultimately leads to entrapments like children, diseases, and heartbreaking relationships. The film wraps up with glimpses of authentic affection among the characters, starkly contrasting the fleeting nature of physical desire. The conclusion leaves audiences wondering if Dede will ever reconcile with her family.

The Opposite of Sex Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The Opposite of Sex (1998) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Funeral for Dede's Stepfather

The story begins with the tumultuous funeral of Dede's stepfather, where Dede's self-centered and manipulative nature becomes evident. This event sets the stage for Dede's decision to flee her home in search of freedom and escape from her troubled life.

Moving in with Bill

Dede moves in with her half-brother Bill, a dedicated teacher living in a conservative Indiana suburb. Despite Bill's intentions to help Dede stabilize her life, her chaotic behavior quickly disrupts his routine.

Indiana suburb

Entanglement with Matt

Dede seduces Bill's young partner, Matt, and deceitfully convinces him that he is the father of her fabricated pregnancy. This manipulation deepens the complications in Dede's already tumultuous relationships, leading to further chaos.

Elopement with Matt

Dede's impulsive elopement with Matt turns the situation upside down. Bill and Lucia, Tom's sister and cautious friend, find themselves embroiled in a frantic chase, trying to prevent a looming scandal created by Dede's actions.

Jason's Threat

Matt's former fling, Jason, poses a serious threat as he threatens to expose Bill, alleging past assault during their school days. This adds pressure on Bill, who is already trying to manage the fallout from Dede's manipulations.

The Discovery of Stolen Ashes

Bill and Lucia finally locate Dede and Matt only to discover that Dede has stolen Tom's ashes. Dede's decision to demand a ransom for their return escalates the drama and highlights her increasingly erratic behavior.

Randy's Arrival

The arrival of Randy, Dede's past lover, complicates the already chaotic situation even further. Dede and Randy plot to abscond with the ashes and start anew, revealing the depth of Dede's instability.

Tragic Argument

An argument erupts between Dede and Randy, which unexpectedly leads to tragedy when Dede accidentally kills him. This incident forcefully thrusts Dede into a whirlwind of guilt and escape cloaked in panic.

Fleeing to Canada

In the wake of Randy's death, Dede and Matt flee to Canada, hoping to escape the consequences of their actions. However, their troubles are far from over as they are haunted by their choices.

Canada

Birth of Randy Jr.

After the chaotic events, Dede gives birth to Randy Jr., which adds another layer of responsibility to her turbulent life. The presence of the child reminds her of her wrong choices and the unraveling nature of her reality.

Returning the Ashes

Faced with the repercussions of her tumultuous life, Dede decides to return the stolen ashes, indicating a moment of remorse for her past actions. This turning point showcases her struggle with guilt and seeking redemption.

Dede's Short Prison Stint

Dede serves a brief prison sentence, highlighting the legal consequences of her manipulative and reckless behavior. This period of confinement forces her to reflect deeply on her life choices and the people she has hurt.

Moving Back with Bill

After her release, Dede moves back in with Bill, seeking comfort and stability. However, the underlying tensions and unresolved issues in their relationship linger, creating an uneasy dynamic.

Matt and Jason's Journey

Meanwhile, Matt and Jason embark on their own journey, exploring the aftermath of their involvement with Dede. This separation emphasizes the diverging paths of the characters amidst the chaos of shared experiences.

Dede's Final Decision

Ultimately, Dede makes the bold choice to leave once again, recognizing that Randy Jr. would thrive better with Bill. In her sardonic narration, she reflects on the entrapments that relationships bring, leaving the audience pondering her future.

The Opposite of Sex Characters

Explore all characters from The Opposite of Sex (1998). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

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

The Opposite of Sex Settings

Learn where and when The Opposite of Sex (1998) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

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

The Opposite of Sex Themes

Discover the main themes in The Opposite of Sex (1998). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🌀

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.

The Opposite of Sex Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of The Opposite of Sex (1998). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In the quiet, middle‑American suburb of Indiana, the everyday rhythm of a small town is laced with a sharp, off‑beat humor that borders on the absurd. The world of the film feels both familiar and slightly askew, where conventional expectations are constantly nudged by the self‑absorbed whims of its protagonists. A darkly comic tone colors every interaction, making even the most mundane moments feel like a delicate dance between sincerity and satire.

Into this setting arrives Dede, a pregnant teenager whose impulsive decision to leave her own chaos behind lands her on the doorstep of her half‑brother. Bill is a devoted teacher, quietly navigating his life as a gay man in a community that still clings to traditional values. Their relationship is already a fragile balance of family loyalty and personal boundaries, and Dede’s sudden presence destabilizes that equilibrium, prompting a cascade of half‑truths and evasive narratives that ripple through their close‑knit circle.

The film watches these two characters as they juggle the competing demands of reputation, desire, and the unspoken codes that hold their family together. The stakes feel personal and immediate: a carefully crafted public image threatens to crack under the pressure of hidden secrets and whispered rumors. As lies begin to intertwine with reality, the audience is drawn into a world where every confession could shift the delicate power dynamics, leaving both Dede and Bill to wonder just how far they’ll go to protect the fragile ties that bind them.

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