Dance ’Til Dawn

Just before the prom, Shelley Sheridan and Kevin McCrea break up after she refuses to sleep with him. Both scramble to find new dates on short notice, realizing their social standing could be at stake. The breakup kicks off a night of misadventures as plans change at the last moment.

To avoid attending the prom, Shelley lies about going to a frat party. Instead she heads to the town cinema to watch an old horror film, hoping no one will notice her absence. There, she runs into Dan Lefcourt, a shy classmate who has also decided to skip the event.

Dan, who lied to his father about going to the prom to keep up appearances, becomes Shelley's accidental ally. He helps her move through the crowd and stay hidden from would-be lookers. Their uneasy alliance reveals Dan's kinder side and hints at a potential connection.

A false rumor about Angela Strull being 'easy' reaches Kevin through a friend. He decides to invite Angela to the prom, hoping to salvage his night while masking his true intentions. He also tries to placate Margaret, Angela's friend, while dealing with her protective circle.

Angela's overprotective, religious pharmacist father Ed follows Kevin and Angela all night to guard his daughter's virtue. His vigilance escalates until he is arrested for interfering with the night’s events. The subplot adds humor and tension as parental control clashes with teen independence.

Patrice Johnson expects to win prom queen and plans for an all-night celebration with her boyfriend Roger to cement her win. Her confidence rests on Shelley’s supposed absence from the prom and on maintaining social dominance. The plan is upended when unexpected rivals arrive.

Angela makes a dramatic Cinderella-style entrance at the prom, challenging Patrice’s dominance. She holds her head high as she competes for votes, signaling a turning point for the night. The crowd realizes the prom will not follow Patrice’s scripted outcome.

Angela and Kevin are crowned prom queen and king, knocking Patrice off her pedestal. The announcement shifts the prom’s center of gravity and surprises many students. This victory marks a new beginning for Angela's social life.

After the crowning, Kevin tries to persuade Angela to sleep with him, but she resists. He admits he genuinely likes her now, and she calls him to respect her boundaries. The moment deepens their evolving relationship and forces Kevin to confront his prior behavior.

Morning after, at Hudson's diner, Angela reveals that her parents had to marry because they conceived her as teenagers. She announces she plans to study art in Italy rather than Bible college. The revelation reframes Angela’s future and signals her independence.

Kevin ends the night without sex and defends Angela's honor when a friend makes a lewd comment. His restraint contrasts with his earlier behavior and signals a change in his character. The moment reinforces Angela's growing trust in him.

Shelley and Dan declare they are going steady, sharing a kiss in front of the seniors. Their relationship shifts from awkward acquaintances to a budding romance. The moment highlights the film’s theme of finding genuine connection amid social chaos.

Patrice’s confidence crumbles as Angela’s victory becomes clear and Patrice loses the prom queen crown. The outcome underscores the film's message that authenticity outshines social posturing. The school town comes to terms with Angela’s rise.

The prom night ends with the group gathering at Hud's diner to wrap up the events. Stories are shared, futures begin to unfold, and the diner serves as the film’s central gathering place for the finale. The morning-after energy blends humor with hopeful beginnings.