Adapted from Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s beloved YA novel, this joyful and tender story of boys on the cusp of manhood follows the blossoming friendship between Aristotle and Dante, two Mexican American teenagers growing up in late-’80s Texas.

A once-in-a-lifetime connection develops when teenage loner Aristotle meets artist Dante poolside in the summer of 1987; they become each other’s sole and closest friend, bonding over their shared background and unique names. But after a magical summer, Dante has to move away, and his letters to Ari will complicate the dynamic between them, even as Ari struggles at home with long-buried family secrets that challenge his self-awakening. Set against a period specific pop soundtrack, the film delicately evokes the queer struggle of its era while capturing a timeless sense of romantic optimism.

With tender breakthrough performances from Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales as the titular pair (along with Eugenio Derbez and Eva Longoria as their parents), Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is an emotional journey of self-discovery through a life-changing emotional bond.