Set in the late 1990s in Spain, My Dearest Señorita follows the life of Adela, a woman who was raised in a conservative household. Her life changes when she discovers she is intersex. This leads to Adela going on a journey of self-discovery where she must find herself at the same time, and also fight the rigid society norms that she grew up in.
Many things are good about My Dearest Señorita. Firstly, it deals with a topic many closeted individuals will relate to: discovering oneself, even though the journey at the start feels confusing. Secondly, it shows how difficult it can be to get accepted in a society that isn’t used to being something different. We must not forget that while things have become different now, the movie's backdrop is set in another era where these things weren’t as common as one might think they were. And with a character like Adela, who was raised in a conservative environment, these big changes become a challenge for her and her family. The question is: will she get the acceptance she expects from people? Will she discover herself? How will her journey shape up with everything around her?
Directed by Fernando González Molina and written by Alana S. Porterom, the 2026 adaptation of My Dearest Señorita aims not to retell the same story again, but instead, it aims to reframe and recreate it as per the current “modern” audience. And honestly, that is one of the best parts about it.
Elisabeth Martínez, as the lead in the role of Adela, is amazing. She is graceful and layered in her portrayal of the character. She is the reason the movie is such an amazing watch; her character is deep, not someone who is to be taken lightly. Elisabeth Martínez does full justice to her role and gives just the right amount of emotion as is required in the scenes she comes in.
The theme of My Dearest Señorita has been shown to us pretty well. The exploration of gender identity, societal expectations, and the cost of living a life dictated by others is shown in great detail. So much effort has been given to these themes, and it shows.
The pacing of the film is even; it doesn’t rush in telling the story of Adela, nor does it slow down anyway. All throughout, it follows a smooth pacing, and the makers have ensured that we are given equal time to grasp her plot and also build an understanding of what she is going through. That creates some really memorable plots and scenes that continue to linger long after the credits have started to roll. And when that happens, you know that you have actually watched a great movie.
That said, I must caution my readers: movies like this can only be truly enjoyed if you have a taste for these kinds of plots. If that’s not your style, Adela may not leave much of an impression. But if you do love this type of film, the story is excellent and an absolute must-watch.
Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times