Abstract

Peppermint Frappé (1967) explores the dynamics between fantasy, identity, and desire, highlighting the complexity of the double through the characters of Elena and Ana, both played by Geraldine Chaplin. Using a comparative approach, this article analyzes how these characters reflect the desires and fantasies of the male protagonist, Julián (José Vázquez), and also how the concept of the double operates on both a psychological and symbolic level. This reveals the tensions in the confrontation between feminine idealization and reality, while exposing the male protagonist as incapable of recognizing the autonomy of the woman he seeks to control. Finally, the article also reflects on the influence of the Spanish sociopolitical context on the narrative’s construction, suggesting that Peppermint Frappé subverts traditional narratives by revealing the feeling of alienation present in human relationships under a repressive regime.