Before diving into I Want You (Tengo Ganas de Ti), it's essential to revisit the critical events of Three Steps Above Heaven (Tres Metros Sobre El Cielo). The first film introduces us to the intense, complicated romance between Hache and Babi, and it sets the stage for the emotional threads that carry over into the sequel. This post covers the most important moments from Three Steps Above Heaven, providing context to understand the characters' journeys better as I Want You begins.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for Tres Metros Sobre El Cielo.
Hache and Babi's Intense Romance
At the center of Three Steps Above Heaven is the fiery and passionate relationship between Hache and Babi. Hache is a rebellious, thrill-seeking young man carrying the weight of a troubled past, while Babi is a sheltered girl from a wealthy family, well-mannered and largely untested by the harsh realities of life. Despite their starkly different backgrounds, they fall passionately in love, each finding in the other something they longed for but could never put into words.
Their relationship is magnetic from the very start—Hache is captivated by Babi's innocence, and Babi can't resist Hache's untamed energy. It's the kind of love that feels destined and reckless all at once, sweeping them up in a whirlwind of emotions that are almost too intense to handle. However, what draws them together ultimately threatens to tear them apart. Hache's love for danger—his illegal motorcycle races, his frequent fights—becomes a wedge that Babi can't ignore. Her longing for stability clashes with Hache's need for freedom, creating a push-pull dynamic that constantly fuels, and endangers, their romance.
As time passes, Babi becomes more aware of the genuine risks attached to Hache's lifestyle. Her love for him is undeniable, but so is her growing fear. The more she learns about the dangers surrounding his world, the more conflicted she becomes—she wants him, but she's terrified of what being with him might mean for her future. This tension between love and self-preservation becomes one of the central struggles of their story.
The Tragic Death of Pollo
One of the most gut-wrenching moments in Three Steps Above Heaven is the tragic death of Pollo, Hache's best friend and confidant. Pollo, also dating Babi's best friend Katina, brings a sense of warmth and loyalty that balances out Hache's more reckless impulses. But in a devastating twist, Pollo loses his life during a high-stakes motorcycle race.
Pollo's death is a shattering event, leaving an indelible mark on both Hache and Babi. For Hache, the tragedy cuts to his core, filling him with guilt and despair. He can't escape the belief that his actions contributed to Pollo's accident and that guilt festers into a heavy, inescapable burden. It's the kind of grief that transforms people, and for Hache, it amplifies the turmoil he’s already been struggling with—anger, loss, and the overwhelming fear of letting down those he loves.
For Babi, Pollo's death is a painful wake-up call. The dangers of Hache's lifestyle are no longer abstract or hypothetical—they're real, immediate, and terrifying. She realizes that staying by Hache's side could mean exposing herself to more heartbreak, more loss. Pollo's death not only strains her relationship with Hache but also forces her to reevaluate whether she can continue being a part of his high-risk world.
Why Hache and Babi Break Up
As the film progresses, the tension between Hache's chaotic life and Babi's desire for security reaches a breaking point. The grief from Pollo's death amplifies everything—Babi’s discomfort turns to anxiety, her fear into dread. While the passion between Hache and Babi is undeniable, it becomes increasingly clear that love alone might not be enough.
Babi finds herself at a crossroads: she loves Hache deeply, but is that love worth the price of her peace of mind? Ultimately, she decides it isn’t. She breaks up with Hache, not because she wants to, but because she needs to—for her own safety and sanity.
Their breakup is heart-wrenching, and you can feel the devastation on both sides. Hache, grappling with grief, finds himself facing yet another loss that leaves him raw and angry. Babi, though heartbroken, understands that she has to walk away for her own good. It's a difficult, but powerful decision—one that marks a significant turning point in both their lives.
Hache's Emotional Turmoil and Departure
After Babi ends their relationship, Hache spirals into an intense period of emotional turmoil. The loss of Pollo still hangs heavy on him, and the breakup with Babi feels like salt on an already open wound. Guilt, grief, and anger mix into a volatile storm, leaving him feeling completely lost.
In an attempt to escape the pain, Hache decides to leave Spain. His departure is driven by the desire to escape the memories and heartache that feel impossible to bear. It’s a desperate move, but one that seems like his only chance to find any semblance of peace. Hache's choice to leave leaves us with unanswered questions—how will he heal, and what will happen when he returns to confront all the emotions he left behind?
Babi's Transformation and Growth
Throughout the film, Babi undergoes a remarkable transformation. She starts as a naive, sheltered girl who has always lived within the comfort of her privileged life, but her relationship with Hache changes her—sometimes painfully but always profoundly. Loving Hache forces Babi to grow up fast, pushing her beyond her sheltered bubble into a world of passion and risk.
By the movie's end, Babi has learned one of life's toughest lessons: sometimes, love isn’t enough. Her decision to end things with Hache is painful, but it reflects her growth and maturity. She chooses herself—her own well-being and future—over the exhilarating but unstable ride that Hache offers. It’s a testament to her newfound strength and her understanding that self-preservation, though painful, is often necessary.
Babi's Family Conflict
The pressure Babi faces doesn’t just come from her fears. Her relationship with Hache is further complicated by her family, particularly her mother’s staunch disapproval. To them, Hache threatens their carefully maintained upper-class world—a rebel, a risk, someone who could never fit into the life they envision for Babi.
As Babi falls deeper in love with Hache, her family's disapproval creates unbearable tension. She's torn between the person she loves and those who raised her. The strain with her parents becomes yet another reason why she decides to walk away from Hache—not only is their love dangerous, but it also seems destined to be isolated and rejected by those closest to her.
Hache’s Need for Thrill and Freedom
For Hache, motorcycle racing isn't just a hobby—it's an outlet. The adrenaline rush he gets from the illegal street races offers him an escape from his own emotions and past traumas. It's a way to regain control, to feel something other than the pain that lingers under the surface. But this thrill-seeking behavior also pushes him closer to the edge, and Babi struggles to accept it.
The races symbolize Hache's need to break free, to live without boundaries, but for Babi, they are a reminder of the very real dangers that come with loving someone like him. Pollo’s tragic death is the final straw. The thrill that once drew her to Hache becomes a source of overwhelming fear—she can’t shake the thought that one day, Hache might be the one who doesn’t return. This realization is a key factor in her decision to end their relationship. The risk, for Babi, simply becomes too much to bear.
Where the End of Three Steps Above Heaven Leaves Us
By the end of Three Steps Above Heaven, Hache and Babi are left with unresolved feelings, struggling to make sense of their fractured love. Hache's decision to leave Spain is an attempt to escape the overwhelming grief of losing Pollo and Babi. He’s heartbroken, lost, and angry and knows he needs distance to heal.
Babi, on the other hand, remains behind, trying to piece her life back together. The decision to break up with Hache breaks her heart, but she knows it’s for the best. She’s determined to find a stable life where she doesn’t live in constant fear. Their separation is painful, but it opens the possibility that they might find each other again—the lingering emotions and unfinished business setting the perfect stage for I Want You, where Hache’s return will inevitably stir all those unresolved feelings back to the surface.
Watch I Want You and More on FlixLatino
If you love these films and are looking for more emotional, romantic movies in Spanish, FlixLatino has a great selection of films for you to enjoy. Why not dive into more love stories that blend passion, growth, and heartbreak? Here are two must-watch romances:
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