Mercedes is a fictional character in the Netflix movie In Her Place (original title: El lugar de la otra). She is a paralegal living in Chile in 1955 and is played by Elisa Zulueta. Mercedes becomes deeply involved in a famous murder trial that shakes the country. As she gets closer to the case, her life takes unexpected turns, leading her to question her own role and identity.

Trivia/Facts

• Mercedes is the main character in Netflix’s historical crime drama In Her Place (original title: El lugar de la otra). She is played by actress Elisa Zulueta. The film is set in 1955 in Chile and revolves around a real-life murder case involving the famous author María Carolina Geel. Mercedes, a fictional character, plays a key role in connecting the audience to the story.
• Mercedes works as a paralegal, and her involvement in the murder trial of María Carolina Geel changes her life. She becomes deeply fascinated by the details of Geel’s case, especially the mystery behind why she killed her lover. This curiosity leads Mercedes to question her own life, especially her role as a woman in society. Her journey of self-discovery is central to the film’s emotional core.

Elisa Zulueta in In Her Place (2024)

• As Mercedes investigates the trial, she begins to feel suffocated by her family life. Her home responsibilities feel overwhelming, and she struggles with the limitations placed on her by societal expectations. The case gives her an opportunity to explore a different reality and offers her a chance to escape her routine. This journey toward personal freedom is an important part of her story.
• Mercedes starts to see parallels between her own life and that of Geel. Though Geel is a real person and Mercedes is fictional, both women experience the feeling of being trapped. Mercedes becomes more empathetic toward Geel, even though the public sees Geel as a murderer. This connection with Geel pushes Mercedes to make bold choices for herself.

Mercedes’s Relationship with Other Characters

• María Carolina Geel: Mercedes becomes fascinated by Geel, the woman at the center of the murder trial. Although they never directly interact, Geel’s life and choices deeply influence Mercedes, making her reflect on her own life.
• Her Family: Mercedes feels trapped by her family responsibilities. She struggles with the traditional expectations placed on her, which creates tension in her personal life.
• Colleagues and Society: Mercedes works as a paralegal, but she feels disconnected from her colleagues and the society around her. Her growing interest in Geel’s case makes her question the norms she has been following.