In the winter of 1976, three years after Augusto Pinochet seized power in Chile through a coup and established a military dictatorship, Carmen travels to her summer house to oversee renovation work and take some time for herself.

While there, Father Sánchez, the priest of the small coastal town, asks for her help in caring for Elías, a young man who is part of the resistance against the dictator, has been wounded by a bullet, and has taken refuge with him.

[9][12] The film is set in 1976, the year when Martelli's maternal grandmother passed away, and she wanted to explore the experiences that told the story of a different reality through family videos shot with a Super-8 camera.

[13] The lead role of the housewife Carmen is played by Aline Küppenheim, a Chilean theater, film, and television actress of French descent, considered one of the greatest performers in her home country.

The site's consensus reads, "Chile '76 is an intriguing historical noir that radiographs Pinochet's patronizing and patriarchal society through the eyes of a steely bourgeoise woman who dares to take a stand".