Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! 1990

As Ricky, a 23-year-old psychiatric patient once deemed incurable, is finally discharged from the mental institution, he sets his sights on rekindling his relationship with Marina Osorio, an actress, former porn star, and recovering drug addict. This enigmatic orphan, free from the confines of his former life, seeks to start anew with Marina, whose path he once crossed during a daring escape from the asylum.

Ricky’s quest for Marina leads him to the set of her latest film, The Midnight Phantom, a Euro-horror masterpiece about a grotesquely disfigured, masked muscleman obsessed with Marina’s character. Under the guidance of Máximo Espejo, an aging director confined to a wheelchair following a stroke, Marina finds solace and protection from the prying eyes of the media. However, Máximo’s paternal instincts are not entirely selfless, as he harbors a secret attraction to Marina, savoring his last opportunity to direct a sultry female lead.

As Ricky infiltrates the set, he pilfers essential items, including the keys to Marina’s apartment, and soon finds himself an unwelcome presence in her life. Donning a long-haired wig, Ricky attempts to capture Marina’s attention with a daring handstand, but she fails to recognize him, quickly dismissing his awkward advances.

Following the final scene of filming, Marina heads home to prepare for the post-shoot party, unaware that Ricky has been tracking her every move. When she opens the door to her apartment, Ricky forces his way in, silencing her screams with a brutal headbutt. He then proceeds to bind and gag her, leaving Marina a helpless captive.

As Marina awakens to a throbbing toothache, she finds herself unable to alleviate her pain due to her addiction to stronger drugs. Ricky reveals his sinister intentions, having taken Marina hostage to ensure that, once she gets to know him better, she will fall in love with him and they can start a family together. Enraged by her confinement, Marina declares that she will never love him, but Ricky remains resolute in his pursuit of winning her heart.

As Marina’s anguish reaches a fever pitch, she coaxes Ricky into taking her to a physician who can provide the necessary analgesics to ease her suffering. However, Ricky’s possessiveness is palpable as he barely grants her alone time with the doctor, rendering her unable to effectively convey her distress. Frustrated by their inability to procure the medication at the pharmacy, Ricky resorts to acquiring the drugs on the black market. In a shocking turn of events, instead of paying the exorbitant street price, he resorts to violence to steal the tablets from the dealer.

Meanwhile, Marina’s sister Lola - the assistant director of The Midnight Phantom - steals the show with an electrifying musical performance at the wrap party. As her concern for her missing sister grows, Lola pays a visit to Marina’s apartment and leaves a cryptic note behind. In an effort to avoid detection, Ricky relocates Marina to his next-door neighbor’s vacant apartment, which is conveniently keyless due to the owner’s trust in Lola, who has been tasked with watering his plants while he’s away on summer vacation.

As fate would have it, Ricky’s encounter with the dealer he had previously attacked comes back to haunt him. The dealer seeks revenge by brutally beating and robbing Ricky, leaving him unconscious in the street. During this time, Marina makes a half-hearted attempt to escape her captivity, but when Ricky returns battered and bruised, she is struck by his vulnerability and unwavering devotion to her. This realization sparks a newfound affection for her captor, and they engage in a passionate and prolonged bout of lovemaking. With their bond strengthened, Ricky seems poised to achieve his ultimate goal, and they decide to embark on a journey together to his native village.

As the moment of departure approaches, Marina, who still regards herself as Ricky’s reluctant captive, implores him to maintain her physical restraint, insisting that it will prevent any last-minute attempts at escape. Meanwhile, in Ricky’s absence, his friend Lola surreptitiously re-enters the apartment and is shocked to discover Marina secured and helpless. With a mixture of surprise and compassion, Lola springs into action, liberating Marina from her bindings. The freed woman reveals to her sister that she has developed romantic feelings for their captor, leaving Lola stunned by the unexpected revelation. Despite initial reservations, Lola’s empathy prevails, and she agrees to transport Marina to Ricky’s birthplace, a desolate village where the ruins of his family home still stand as a poignant reminder of his troubled past. Upon arrival, they locate Ricky amidst the rubble, and the trio reluctantly sets off in Lola’s vehicle, bound for the city. As they embark on their journey, Lola promises Ricky a job within the week, Marina’s emotions begin to overwhelm her, and together, the unlikely family unit drives into the distance, their collective spirits lifted by the harmonious melody of song.