La León Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for La León.
La León Ending Explained: Deep in the lush river jungles of Argentina, Alvaro lives a solitary existence fishing and harvesting reeds. Directed by Santiago Otheguy, this 2007 drama film stars Jorge Román (Alvaro), alongside Daniel Valenzuela as El Turu, José Muñoz as Iribarren, Diego Quiroz as Marinaro Julio. With a 6.7/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of La León?
Deep in the lush river jungles of Argentina, Alvaro lives a solitary existence fishing and harvesting reeds. What sets him apart from the rest of his village is that he is gay. There are no other gay men in his world, his only means of expression is with the occasional outsider who passes through. Most of these men come via the river taxi El León, whose captain El Turu is a mean man with a homophobic streak and a secret. When illegal loggers appear in the jungle El Turu accuses Alvaro of aiding them, a dispute which leads both men towards confrontation.
Santiago Otheguy's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Jorge Román (Alvaro)'s journey. What sets him apart from the rest of his village is that he is gay.
How Does Jorge Román (Alvaro)'s Story End?
- Jorge Román: Jorge Román's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Daniel Valenzuela (El Turu): Daniel Valenzuela's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- José Muñoz (Iribarren): José Muñoz's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of La León Mean?
La León's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Jorge Román may feel rushed. Santiago Otheguy's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.