The Virgin of Lust (2002): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2002, The Virgin of Lust is a fantasy, drama and romance film directed by Arturo Ripstein, running about 151 minutes.

What it’s about. In Vera Cruz in the 1940s, Nacho, an Indian, waits tables at Don Lázaro's café at Hotel Ofélia. He falls for Lola, an opium-addicted, alcoholic whore who's hopelessly in love with Gardenia Wilson, a masked wrestler who slept with her once but knows she's unbalanced. Don Lázaro warns Nacho about Lola, and Nacho knows his love will be unrequited, but he'll do anything, regardless of how degrading, to be near her. Lola, for her part, can be sadistic. Republican exiles who are regulars at the café encourage Lola's desire to assassinate Franco. Nacho in turn mixes this political mirage with his fascination with the plot of "The Mikado." Where do fantasies and obsessions lead?

Who’s in it. The Virgin of Lust stars Ariadna Gil as Lola, Patricia Reyes Spíndola as Raquel, Luis Felipe Tovar as Nacho and Juan Diego as Gimeno-Mikado, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.9/10, The Virgin of Lust has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Virgin of Lust page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Virgin of Lust tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.