Demolition

Davis and his wife, Julia, are involved in a severe car accident when another vehicle strikes them. Julia tragically dies in the accident, leaving Davis to grapple with the sudden loss and its emotional fallout.

Following the accident, Davis finds himself in the hospital recovering from his injuries. During this time, he attempts to purchase candy from a malfunctioning vending machine, sparking a series of events that lead to a deep emotional exploration.

Davis writes a complaint to the vending machine manufacturer, unconsciously voicing his personal frustrations and experiences. This opens a dialogue with Karen Moreno, a customer service representative, leading to unexpected emotional exchanges.

Despite the tragic loss of his wife, Davis returns to his job much sooner than anticipated. He displays an unemotional demeanor that unsettles his coworkers, signaling a deeper internal struggle with his feelings.

While on a commuter train, Davis converses with a fellow passenger, revealing that he feels no sadness over Julia's death. This conversation highlights his emotional detachment and sets the stage for his subsequent erratic behavior.

Davis becomes obsessed with understanding what is inside objects, disassembling household appliances and his work computer. This peculiar behavior reflects his attempt to regain control in a life that feels increasingly chaotic and detached.

After tracking down Karen, Davis begins to forge a platonic friendship with her when he stays at her home during her boyfriend Carl's absence. This friendship becomes a crucial part of his healing process as they share their burdens with each other.

Davis and his in-laws establish a foundation in Julia's name to provide scholarships. However, Davis's dismissive attitude during candidate interviews raises tensions, leading Phil to propose that Davis transfer his rights to Julia's life insurance to the foundation.

In a symbolic act of coping, Davis purchases demolition tools and begins to destroy his house with the help of Chris. This drastic measure signifies his need to reconcile with the memories of his life with Julia.

At a party celebrating the scholarship winner, Davis disrupts the occasion by revealing that Julia had been pregnant and had kept it a secret from him. This revelation shocks Julia's parents and leads to deeper familial tensions as they confront painful truths.

Davis faces a violent encounter with Carl when he discovers that Carl has been reading the letters Davis wrote to Karen. At the same time, Chris suffers a brutal beating after coming out, illustrating the intersecting struggles the characters face.

Davis visits Julia's grave, where he confronts the driver, Michael, who caused the accident. In a moment of emotional clarity, Davis forgives Michael, allowing him to finally process his grief and leading to a cathartic release.

Having found closure, Davis seeks to mend his relationship with Julia's parents. He proposes to contribute to refurbishing a carousel destined for demolition as a tribute to Julia’s memory, indicating his journey towards healing.

Davis receives a letter from Chris about his recovery and a call to meet at Pier 54. This moment signifies hope and new beginnings as Davis witnesses the destruction of buildings across the river, paralleling his own journey of demolition and rebirth.

In the film's conclusion, Davis joyously participates in a race with children, fulfilling a childhood desire to win. This act symbolizes his acceptance of life’s challenges and an embrace of newfound hope and happiness.