‘Dancing on Glass,’ also known as ‘Las Nias de Cristal,’ is a Jota Linares-directed Spanish drama film. It follows two young ballerinas as they navigate the challenges of ballet life. When Irene (Mara Pedraza) is chosen to be the prima ballerina in her ballet company’s next production, she forms a whirlwind friendship with newcomer Aurora (Paula Losada). As the two young ladies seek solace in one another, they face several problems posed by the world in which they live and isolate themselves.

The emotional link between Irene and Aurora drives the touching and complicated plot. The film, however, closes without providing a clear conclusion as to what happens to the women following a surprising and unexpected incident. If you’re looking for an explanation for the finale of ‘Dancing on Glass,’ go no further! WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

Synopsis of the plot of Dancing on Glass

In the beginning of ‘Dancing on Glass,’ a ballerina named Maria jumps off the top of a building in New York. Irene is another young dancer that works with a Spanish dance group. Irene and Maria are both members of the same dance company, and Maria is the prima ballerina for an upcoming production of ‘Giselle.’ Irene is chosen as the new prima ballerina over Maria’s close friend, Ruth, following Maria’s unexpected suicide.

Meanwhile, a new dancer named Aurora joins the troupe. Aurora’s mother is a former ballet dancer who wants her daughter to achieve her aspirations. Irene’s family, on the other hand, does not comprehend her decision to pursue a career in dancing and is doubtful of her life choices. Irene prepares for the challenges of being the lead dancer and finds herself alienated from the rest of the group almost immediately. Irene and Aurora had a talk at a party that leads to their friendship. Aurora soon begins assisting Irene with the pressures of being the main dancer. At the same time, Irene assists Aurora in overcoming her social anxieties.

Jon, an attractive and pleasant young man, invites the two girls to an underground theater. Jon kisses Aurora after the performance, and she falls in love with him. When Jon does not return Aurora’s calls, Irene suggests that she go meet him in person. When Aurora arrives at the theater, she discovers Jon kissing another woman. Aurora, saddened, departs only to be involved in a car accident, which threatens to terminate her dance career.

Aurora’s mother forbids her from seeing Irene after the accident, feeling she is a detrimental influence on Aurora. Meanwhile, Irene begins to crack under the weight of director Norma’s expectations. Norma also advises Irene to distance herself from everyone in order to concentrate on the forthcoming opening night performance. Aurora, she believes, is merely a distraction for Irene and that she is destined to be a great dancer. Irene and Aurora, on the other hand, find a way to reunite and continue to enjoy their special friendship. Nonetheless, the difficulties of being a dancer catch up with the two women. The rest of the plot revolves around whether or not they are able to overcome these obstacles.

Are Irene and Aurora Dead in the End of Dancing on Glass?

Irene is finally ready for the opening night after a tough preparation period. However, she falls into a fight with her co-dancer shortly before the event after he inadvertently drops her during practice. The incident emphasizes Irene’s mental fragility, and she will crack under the burden of being the lead dancer. Furthermore, she believes that everyone around her, including her own family, wants her to fail and does not want her to succeed. Despite this, Irene finds peace in Aurora, who anchors the lead dancer.

As the story unfolds, the parallels between Maria and Irene become clear, and viewers are left wondering whether Irene would suffer the same fate as Maria as a result of Norma’s tyrant-like behavior. However, near the end, viewers realize that Maria died as a result of her own shame, not as a result of Norma’s pressure. Furthermore, Norma is only one of the psychological obstacles that Irene is encountering as a result of her position as prima ballerina. Her lack of self-confidence is putting pressure on Irene, and her concerns and insecurities about failure are being projected on others around her. As a result, Irene will face a stern test when she comes onto the stage to perform on opening night.

Aurora, on the other hand, is present backstage during the performance and assists Irene in focusing on the act. During the first act, Irene gives an enthralling performance that earns her a standing ovation from the crowd. Norma notices Irene and Aurora reuniting backstage at the intermission and requests Aurora to leave since she could be a distraction for Irene. Norma berates Aurora and argues that she will never harshly able to dance again as a result of her mishap. Aurora stabs Norma in a fit of passion, and Irene then pushes her against a wall, killing her.

Finally, Irene completes the second act of her performance to overwhelming ovation from the audience. However, as soon as the concert is over, Irene and Aurora exit the theater and make their way to the top of the structure. Finally, viewers see Irene and Aurora standing on the terrace’s edge, followed by views of them dancing together. The film concludes with a still shot of Irene and Aurora dancing and enjoying each other’s company.

Aurora educates Irene about her “safe” place earlier in the film, an imaginary location where she visits during her performances. She says that no one can hurt her in her safe haven, and she decides to share it with Irene. Irene readily accepts the concept, and the two ladies frequently spend time in this fictitious world where the stresses of life as professional dancers, as well as external and internal expectations, cannot harm them. Viewers watch the two in their safe haven in the final scene. The film concludes on this note, implying that they have permanently relocated to this location.

Irene and Aurora are to blame for Norma’s death, much as Maria’s psychological anguish drove her to do the heinous act of allowing her mother to die. Similarly, the duo’s guilt about the scenario is a breaking point for their psychological stress, and they are likely to commit suicide out of guilt. As a result, they are finally free of all the responsibilities they were carrying and will spend the rest of eternity blissfully in their secure environment.