Carrie Pilby

Carrie Pilby, a 19-year-old prodigy living alone in New York City, is clearly unhappy and socially awkward. She attends weekly sessions with Dr. Petrov and questions why happiness is so emphasized. The conversation reveals her loneliness and sets up the premise of her mission to 'give humanity a chance.'

Dr. Petrov gives Carrie a concrete set of tasks to break out of her self-imposed isolation: Get a job, Make a friend, Get a pet, Go on a date, Do something you enjoyed as a child. The list is meant to push her into real-world experiences and test her emotional limits. Carrie accepts the challenge, though she remains guarded.

A year after graduating from Harvard at 18, Carrie works as a proofreader at her father's law firm. The job is more about fulfilling the list and parental expectations than financial need, and she quietly questions its purpose. This occupation grounds her life in routine while she searches for deeper connections.

Carrie goes on a blind date with an engaged man, which becomes awkward and reveals her shallow social style. The encounter exposes how she misreads social cues and romantic expectations, underscoring her inexperience in relationships. Despite the cringe, this event marks her willingness to face romance head-on.

Carrie befriends a lively, extroverted co-worker who helps her navigate social norms and offers encouragement. Their friendship exposes her to casual life outside academia and provides a counterpoint to her solitary tendencies. Through this bond, she begins to open up about her fears and quirks.

She meets the neighbor who plays the didgeridoo in the alley behind their building. They start a slow, playful acquaintance as they talk during short strolls. The alley encounter becomes a recurring thread as they explore the city together.

Carrie and the neighbor share long conversations while walking through the city, testing boundaries and sharing personal stories. The experiences gradually soften her skepticism about love and show her a gentler form of intimacy. Their bond blends curiosity, humor, and vulnerability.

Intermittent flashbacks depict an abusive relationship with her English professor when she was sixteen, clarifying why Carrie's intellect coexists with emotional fragility. The scenes illuminate the roots of her self-protective rationality and fear of judgment. These memories help explain her contradictions without excusing them.

As the to-do list progresses, Carrie begins to reassess sex, romance, and what it means to connect with others. She starts to see humanity beyond intellect and recognizes the value of empathy and vulnerability. Her perspective shifts from analysis to a more balanced approach to relationships.

Carrie keeps exploring social situations—dating, friendships, and personal boundaries—while staying true to her guarded nature. She faces awkward moments with humor and learns to accept imperfections in herself and others. The experiences sharpen her understanding that happiness can come from imperfect connections.

On the list's 'Get a pet' item, Carrie adopts an animal companion, which offers unconditional companionship and responsibility. The pet becomes a living catalyst for emotional growth and routine. It also provides a non-judgmental presence as she navigates her evolving relationships.

By the end, Carrie emerges from self-imposed isolation and embraces humanity—opening up to friends, work, love, and new experiences. She reconciles intellect with emotion and understands that relationships, even imperfect ones, enrich life. The film ends with a more hopeful, connected Carrie.