An experimental adaptation of Hamlet to Brazil's rural areas. Farmer's son returns home after his father's death and can't stand the thought of his mother marrying his uncle.

The Option centers on a group of rural women who cut sugar cane and live in ramshackle highway neighborhoods. For many, their only escape to a potentially better life is through prostitution, often with truck drivers.

Chief of Police Rui, a happily married man of principles, is in charge of investigating Joana, a teacher who's accused of political crimes. After some false starts, he manages to arrest her, but is startled to learn that she's also a nun. The revelation doesn't alter the natural course of events: he must torture her in order to obtain a confession, and gets increasingly attracted to her.