Desire (original title: Deseo) is a 2026 Mexican-Spanish erotic thriller drama film directed by Teresa Simone and written by Giulia Cardamone and Vanessa Miklos. The film stars Ludwika Paleta, José María Yazpik, and Óscar Casas in the lead roles, with Leonardo Ortizgris, Matías Coronado, and Pilar Pascual rounding out the cast. Produced by Pablo Cruz under the banner of El Estudio, the film is a Mexico-Spain co-production.
The story follows Lucero, a successful lawyer who appears to have the perfect life — luxury, success, a devoted husband, and two children. But behind that flawless exterior lies a deep emotional emptiness that pushes her toward risk and passion. Everything changes when Matías, the young and attractive swimming coach hired by her husband, enters her routine and awakens an obsession in her. What begins as a powerful attraction soon becomes a secret affair that threatens to destroy everything she has built — especially when her own daughter also develops feelings for Matías. The film had its world premiere at the Guadalajara International Film Festival and released theatrically in Mexico and Spain in May 2026 before arriving exclusively on Netflix on July 17, 2026. The film has a runtime of 98 minutes.
Desire Age Rating
Desire is officially rated TV-MA by Netflix, marking it as content intended strictly for mature audiences aged 17 and older. The film’s TV-MA designation is driven primarily by its strong sexual content, including nudity, multiple intimate scenes, and explicit romantic encounters between adult characters, as well as its mature themes of infidelity, obsession, emotional manipulation, and family breakdown.
Director Teresa Simone has described the film as an erotic thriller approached from an auteur perspective, building tension through atmosphere, silence, and emotional intensity rather than conventional action. The film explores what she calls the “motor of existence” — desire — and deliberately pushes at the social limits surrounding it.
Sexual Content & Nudity
This is the primary content concern for parents. Desire is an erotic thriller in which sexual attraction and infidelity are central to the entire narrative. The film contains multiple sex scenes, passionate physical encounters, nudity, and charged sexual references throughout its runtime. The storyline involving a mother and daughter being drawn to the same man adds additional layers of complexity and tension to the sexual and romantic content. Parents should expect explicit material to appear regularly from the early stages of the film onward.
Violence & Intense Scenes
Physical violence is not a primary focus of the film, but Desire contains emotionally intense confrontations driven by jealousy, betrayal, manipulation, and the collapse of trust within a family. As Lucero’s secret relationship begins to unravel and the consequences of her choices close in, some scenes are likely to be psychologically tense and emotionally disturbing for sensitive viewers. The film’s atmosphere is described by its creators as one of constant tension and uncertainty, where what goes unsaid carries as much weight as what is shown.
Language
Some strong language and adult dialogue should be expected throughout the film, particularly during emotionally charged moments of conflict and confrontation between characters.
Alcohol & Substance Use
Adult characters are likely to be shown consuming alcohol in social settings, consistent with the film’s depiction of an affluent lifestyle. Substance use is not reported to be a significant focus of the narrative.
Is Desire Suitable for Kids and Teens?
Ages 10–13: No. The film contains explicit sexual content, nudity, and adult themes that make it entirely inappropriate for children and young tweens.
Ages 14–15: Not Recommended. The heavy erotic content, infidelity storyline, and emotionally manipulative relationship dynamics are not suitable for younger teens regardless of parental guidance.
Ages 16–17: Viewer Discretion Advised. While some older teens may have an interest in mature dramatic content, the explicit sexual nature of this film makes it best left to adult audiences. Parental guidance is strongly advised if older teens choose to watch.
Adults: Yes. Desire is designed squarely for adult audiences interested in psychological erotic thrillers. Fans of the genre and of Latin American cinema will find it among the more ambitious Mexican productions arriving on Netflix in 2026.
Overall, Desire is suitable only for adult viewers aged 17 and older, in line with its TV-MA rating.
What Parents Can Do
- Be aware that despite its drama and thriller framing, Desire is primarily an adult erotic film — the TV-MA rating reflects explicit sexual content that appears throughout, not just in isolated scenes.
- Preview the trailer before allowing older teens to consider watching, as it gives a clear sense of the film’s tone and content level.
- If mature teens do watch the film, it can serve as a starting point for conversations about emotional boundaries, the consequences of infidelity, and the difference between desire and healthy relationship choices.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for Desire (2026)?
A: Desire is officially rated TV-MA by Netflix due to strong sexual content, nudity, explicit intimate scenes, and mature adult themes including infidelity and obsession.
Q: Is Desire appropriate for teenagers?
A: No. The film contains explicit sexual content and nudity throughout and is not recommended for teenagers. It is intended for adult audiences aged 17 and older.
Q: Does Desire contain nudity and sex scenes?
A: Yes. Desire contains nudity, sexual references, and multiple intimate scenes that are central to the film’s erotic thriller narrative.
Q: Does Desire contain violence?
A: Physical violence is not a primary focus, but the film contains emotionally intense confrontations, jealousy-driven conflict, and psychologically tense scenes related to the breakdown of a family.
Q: What is Desire (Deseo) about?
A: The film follows Lucero, a successful lawyer with an outwardly perfect life, who becomes obsessed with Matías, her husband’s young swimming coach. Their secret affair threatens to destroy her family, especially when her own daughter is also drawn to him.
Q: Where can I watch Desire (Deseo)?
A: Desire streams exclusively on Netflix starting July 17, 2026.