Living on the outskirts of Caracas, 9-year-old Junior (Samuel Lange) dreams of straightening his dark, curly locks and dressing like a pop singer. His mother (Samantha Castillo), a single mom, is fed up and wants Junior to stop preening. She sometimes treats him harshly, afraid that he is not quite like other boys. Not wanting him to die from gun violence like his father, Junior's grandmother (Nelly Ramos) encourages the boy.

Addressing issues of burgeoning sexuality and complicated gender roles, this film is an intelligent, tender and at times a desolate, portrayal of what it's like to grow up when one is a bit different. Set against the backdrop of contemporary Venezuela, Bad Hair speaks to a wider political and social situation afflicting the country.