Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a 2022 American coming-of-age romantic drama film directed by Aitch Alberto and written by Benjamin Alire Senz, based on his 2012 novel of the same name. The film stars Max Pelayo as Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza and Reese Gonzales as Dante Quintana, two Mexican-American teenagers who come of age in El Paso, Texas, in the 1980s.
The film explores themes of identity, friendship, love, and family. It has been praised for its sensitive and authentic portrayal of two young men coming to terms with their sexuality in a conservative environment. The film has also been praised for its beautiful cinematography and its strong performances from Pelayo and Gonzales.
