Tim Dingman, portrayed by Ben Stiller, and his best friend Nick Vanderpark, played by Jack Black, share a deep bond as neighbors and colleagues at 3M. Recently, Tim has celebrated a promotion at work, whereas Nick is struggling with a performance review that criticizes his focus. With Tim’s new promotion came a luxurious chair boasting exceptional lumbar support.
In a burst of imaginative ideas, Nick conceives a rather outrageous plan to strike it rich by inventing a spray that can make dog waste vanish. Tim, embodying the role of the skeptic, passionately argues against Nick's impractical ideas, but he can’t shake off his friend's unyielding enthusiasm. Nick, desperate for support, takes a leap of faith and collaborates with research scientist Dimitriov to develop a prototype of his bizarre invention. While Tim vehemently opposes the idea, asserting that "matter cannot simply disappear," his wife, Debbie, played by Rachel Weisz, is fueled with excitement about the potential investment in the project.
As fortune favors Nick, he successfully unveils Vapoorize, a product that clears away dog droppings in an instant, and soon finds himself a celebrity on live television. He moves into an extravagant mansion, conveniently located near Tim's former home, along with a horse named Corkey, who has a peculiar knack for munching on apples from Tim's yard. Despite Nick's soaring success, Tim's feelings of jealousy intensify, particularly when his own family begins to notice their comparative financial struggles.
Nick’s wife Natalie, represented by Amy Poehler, starts a political campaign with environmental issues at its core, yet is constantly scrutinized regarding her husband's product. In the meantime, Tim's life spirals downward as his envy leads to a spectacular meltdown, resulting in his job loss and estranging his family temporarily.
In an attempt to escape his circumstances, Tim finds himself in a bar for the first time, where he encounters J-Man, an eccentric drifter played by Christopher Walken, who encourages Tim to shake things up. However, following a chaotic drunken escapade, Tim mistakenly believes he has killed Nick’s cherished horse, Corkey, and buries it in his disused swimming pool. As turmoil and misunderstandings unfold, Tim and J-Man hatch a convoluted scheme to claim a reward for Corkey's return.
The duo's plan backfires spectacularly, culminating in a series of unfortunate events. Much to Tim's dismay, Nick invites him to become a partner in his lucrative venture, prompting J-Man to blackmail Tim. However, an accidental arrow discharge underscores Tim’s chaotic life, leading to a reckoning with lost friendships and newfound wealth.
At a crucial moment during a press conference for Debbie’s campaign, Corkey’s carcass is discovered, leading to devastating consequences for Vapoorize as investigations reveal its harmful ingredients. With nearly everything at stake, Tim channels his inventive spirit and dreams up Pocket Flan, reinvigorating his spirit and their fortunes.
In a heartwarming twist, J-Man reappears, suggesting a path to reconciliation between the friends as they ride the wave of a new venture together.
