In a turbulent neighborhood of Miami, a boy named Chiron navigates life facing the harsh reality of his surroundings. From his childhood, he feels different and lost between his addicted mother and the absence of a present father. Over time, Chiron finds some comfort in Juan, a drug dealer who surprisingly becomes a father figure to him. Juan, along with his girlfriend Teresa, shows Chiron a world that challenges the harsh life he knows, but Chiron's insecurities and internal struggles are far from resolved.
As the story progresses, we follow Chiron through three key stages of his life: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. In each stage, the emotional tensions rise as he grapples with his identity, the violence surrounding him, and the secrets he keeps. In high school, his friendship with his classmate Kevin becomes both a refuge and a source of confusion, marking a profound crucible of love and desire that accompanies him throughout his life.
Eventually, now in adulthood, Chiron is forced to confront his past and make decisions that will lead him towards accepting who he truly is. This poetic and nuanced story explores themes such as masculinity, identity, and love in a visually stunning narrative that invites reflection on the internal struggles of each individual.