The week of his 18th birthday, Bennie, who s a waiter on a cruise ship, has a layover in Buenos Aires. He seeks out his older brother, Tetro, whom he hasn t seen in years. Tetro, who lives with Miranda, is a burned-out case; he s hot and cold toward his brother, introducing him as a friend, refusing to talk about their family, telling Bennie not to tell Miranda who their father is. Thoughts of their father cast a shadow over both brothers. Who is he, and what past has Tetro left behind? Bennie finds pages of Tetro s unfinished novel, and he pushes both to know his own history and to become a part of his brother s life again. What can come of Bennie s pushing?