When a grieving Spanish movie star discovers the lifeless body of a teenage African refugee on the shore of her villa, she must confront betrayal and exploitation to protect the girl and navigate a perilous journey.

SYNOPSIS:

Spanish movie star Ida Icone, mourning the loss of her son whose body was never recovered after a surfing accident, discovers the body of a young African refugee, Alel, while swimming off a quiet Mediterranean coast. Determined to give the girl a proper farewell—something she never had for her own child—Ida navigates bureaucracy to arrange a funeral. Along the way, Alel inexplicably comes back to life, leaving Ida shaken. Compelled by forces she cannot understand, Ida brings Alel to her villa, where a fragile bond slowly forms.

Ida’s solitude is interrupted by her ex-boyfriend, American director Joshua Bassett, who arrives to persuade her to take the lead in his new screenplay. Initially resistant, Ida softens when she sees Joshua guiding Alel through her trauma of swimming and accepts the role, letting him back into her life. Unseen by Ida, Joshua exploits Alel’s naïveté, engaging sexually with her, and Alel submits out of fear that refusal could lead to deportation. Joshua also arranges a contract signing with Ron Pompucci, his producer and former adult film magnate. At the ensuing celebration, Ron assaults Alel while Joshua secretly records the act for leverage.

Traumatized, Alel confides in Ida, who, torn between disbelief and the unbearable weight of betrayal, orders her to leave. Alel finds shelter with Don Herman, a compassionate priest aiding refugees. Fearing exposure, Joshua manipulates the police into detaining Alel. In desperation, Don Herman informs Ida, triggering a violent confrontation with Joshua. When Ida discovers the recording, she terminates the relationship and cancels the contract, despite the looming threat of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit from Ron.

Determined to atone, Ida joins Don Herman in an attempt to free Alel, but the system proves unyielding and the rescue fails. Joshua’s schemes unravel, leading to his downfall. Alel is deported aboard a Border Force vessel, surrounded by others in transit. On the open water, she plunges into the sea once more and begins to swim, asserting her survival and resilience.