Journalist David Sheff finds himself in the office of addiction specialist Dr. Brown, not for a piece he is writing, but out of desperation to understand his son, who has succumbed to the grip of addiction, particularly with crystal meth. Through a series of poignant flashbacks, we witness David’s family life in San Francisco alongside his wife Karen Barbour and their two children, Jasper Sheff and Daisy Sheff, as well as his older son Nic, portrayed by [Timothée Chalamet]. A stark moment arises when Nic fails to return home one fateful night, leading to a heated confrontation between David and Nic's mother, Vicki, underscoring the frustration of a family torn apart.
When Nic eventually returns home, clearly affected, David realizes the alarming nature of his son’s behavior. Desperate for a way to help, David seeks advice from a rehab counselor, who convinces him that there’s hope through an 80% success rate program. A touching scene unfolds as David and Nic express their love through shared words: “everything.” However, the path to recovery is fraught with complications. After making progress in rehab, Nic expresses a desire to stay in the program rather than pursue college immediately. It's a temporary victory, quickly shadowed when Nic goes missing from the halfway house, prompting David to launch a frantic search. In an emotional encounter, David finds Nic in an alley, distressed and under the influence.
As the narrative progresses, David's hopes are raised again when Nic shows signs of improvement and even expresses a desire to attend college. Their bond is reignited during a heartfelt farewell at drop-off. Yet, the cycle of addiction proves relentless; tantalizing obstacles arise, including a fateful encounter with drugs at a girlfriend’s Thanksgiving celebration. After slipping back into old habits, Nic lies to David about borrowing the car and instead seeks out drugs, further devastating the family dynamics.
In a candid conversation with Dr. Brown, the harsh realities of addiction surface, revealing that the chance of recovery is chillily low. David embarks on a soul-searching journey, experiencing life as Nic does in desperate attempts to connect with him. This culminates in a tense reunion where Nic is erratic and refuses to return home, leading to a heartbreaking sequence of events where David learns of Nic's overdose in New York.
As hope flickers, a meeting at a diner leads to a promising moment where Nic expresses a desire to get clean. A poignant childhood flashback reveals the origins of their affectionate exchange “everything,” signifying a profound bond amid turmoil. After moving to Los Angeles for a fresh start under Vicki's care, Nic finds success in sobriety, graduated from college, and sharing moments with his younger half-siblings. However, the shadow of addiction looms large. A relapse becomes inevitable when Nic reconnects with a former rehabilitative companion, leading to more chaotic choices.
Tensions flare between David and Vicki, illustrating the strain of battling addiction. David's attempts to support Nic reveal the immense challenge of parental love battling against deep-rooted addiction. This culminates in a heart-wrenching scene where David makes the difficult decision to distance himself while Nic evokes the warmth of home, pleading for help.
Time progresses, yet the struggle continues. With his family seeking support through Al-Anon, Nic's journey spirals further into darkness, marked by another near-fatal overdose. In a moment of vulnerability, when a fragile Nic needs comfort, David provides a brief moment of love amid the turmoil, yet the future remains uncertain.
The film wraps up with a powerful epilogue, reminding viewers that despite the ongoing struggle with addiction, Nic has managed to find sobriety, shining a glimmer of hope after a lengthy and turbulent journey. The film serves as a heart-wrenching exploration of love, loss, and the relentless battle against addiction.
