Under His Control Plot Synopsis
The story of Netflix’s Spanish crime drama film “Under Your Control” centers on an unconventional deal between a female worker and her employer. It addresses topics such as the exploitation of immigrants, surrogacy and motherhood. Two women lie in the center of the action.
Beatriz is a self-made fashion brand entrepreneur, a role model in her field, and a much more welcoming Miranda Priestly. Sofía is an Argentine immigrant who arrives in Madrid in search of a better future. She lives with her partner Nacho, a promising real estate agent. She is a focused young woman who aspires to succeed and looks up to Beatriz. She applies for an internship with the fashion business mogul.
Employed as an assistant in Beatriz’s business, Sofia quickly proves her worth and earns a full-time position. Everything seems to be going smoothly, but shortly after starting her job, Sofa becomes pregnant. All of Sofia’s plans are disrupted due to her pregnancy, including her dream job that is at stake.
Why does Sofia choose not to have an abortion?
Sofía, a woman with immense potential, fears that having a child will end her career considering that her organization has not been particularly supportive of those who need extended absences. Sofia is a Catholic by faith and is considering having an abortion. When she discusses it with a priest, he makes it very clear that in his religion it is sinful to do so.
By contrast, Beatriz, her employer, has been eager to start a family for some time. Beatriz ends up making him an irresistible offer. She proposes to Beatriz that she adopt the child in exchange for a promotion that she will give Sofía. Sofía takes a few days to reflect and accepts the terms.
What excuse does Sofía give Nacho to hide her pregnancy?
Beatriz and Sofa agree that Sofía will stay with Beatriz during her pregnancy, keeping their arrangement a secret from the outside world. Sofía keeps Nacho, her lover and father of the child, in the dark. She signs the contract after making sure she receives double what Beatriz originally offered. She then tells Nacho that she will spend six months in London.
Sofía seems to have no problem lying and hides her pregnancy from him. Nacho expresses his frustration and discontent with the situation, but is limited in what he can do.
Why is Beatriz a sympathetic antagonist?
Beatriz takes Sofía to a residence outside the city. As they approach the complex, Sofia notices that the exterior walls of the property are covered with chain-link fences. The next day, she meets Tati, a Vietnamese cook unable to communicate in both English and Spanish. Although Sofia initially seems to enjoy her time at the stunning estate, she quickly realizes that she is simply a glamorous prisoner being held in a gilded cage.
Although Beatriz seems to be a tyrant throughout the film, it is not difficult to empathize with her character. We discovered that she previously lost a child and that she continues to keep almost all of the things that she bought for the child in a sealed room in her home.
She is older now, and childbirth for her will probably be complicated. Beatriz tries to find dates, but she rarely gets what she wants from dating apps. Beatriz still has a very strong desire to be a mother. However, she acts in ways that immediately make her the film’s central antagonist due to her desperation.
Why does Sofía start to question her decision?
According to Sofía, Beatriz takes charge of each and every area of her life. Sofia can’t leave the property even if she wants to. Beatriz insists that she does it for Sofía’s protection and to keep the pregnancy a secret. Beatriz arrives to see off the Vietnamese woman Tati after Sofia persuades her to open and show her the hidden room, further isolating Sofia.
The latter is also aware that she is constantly monitored by cameras installed in all parts of the residence. Ella soon begins to doubt her decision, as her life is now constantly under the close watch of her boss.
Also, Sofía discovers that Beatriz has confiscated her mobile. Beatriz buys a second one from him after discussing it with another woman, however, that phone doesn’t seem to be able to make calls. The balance of power between these two women is heavily skewed in favor of Beatriz.
Sofia quickly realizes that she must wait to leave until the baby is born. Beatriz’s treatment of her quickly becomes animalistic and robotic to the point where she no longer treats Sofía as a person.
What leads Beatriz to kill Nacho?
Nacho rushes to Beatriz’s workplace one day after realizing something is totally amiss and blackmails one of the staff members into revealing Beatriz’s residential address. His instincts are confirmed as soon as he enters Beatriz’s house. He starts talking to Sofia through the security system installed on the door.
Meanwhile, Beatriz has found out about him and runs over Nacho with her vehicle just as he tries to contact the police, killing him. She then tries to hide his body and his vehicle.
Has Beatrice been murdered?
Sofía eventually begins to disobey Beatriz and violently strikes back in response to what happened to Nacho. Beatriz is knocked out, tied up, tortured and Sofia steals her money. Sofía tries to run away from her but she returns fleetingly to retrieve the pet dog that Beatriz bought for her. Beatriz has been released at that time. During her fight, Sofa hurts Beatriz with golden scissors, which ultimately leads to a bloodbath. Although Beatriz’s murder is unconfirmed as it is not shown to us, it is likely to occur off-screen.
Sofía agreed to Beatriz’s request because she believed that it would be the best alternative for all interested parties. However, Beatriz’s desperate desire to have a child manifests itself in her attempt to manipulate and influence every area of Sofia’s life. Beatriz’s fall is due to exactly the same impulse.
Does Sofia manage to escape?
Sofia experiences discomfort and her water breaks when she tries to run away with the rest of her money. Shortly after, she passes out on the floor and the film ends there with no clear resolution. Her chances of survival, along with her son’s, are very slim because she is out in the wild without a phone to call for help. However, there is always the chance that a car she passes by will see her.
Sofia’s fate is up to us to decide. It is unknown if she lives or dies, but either outcome is possible. The interpretation of which of the two depends entirely on whether you are an optimist or a pessimist!
Read more: Under His Control movie review
