Ham on Rye

The film opens in a vibrant park full of laughter and excitement as children celebrate a birthday party. Fireworks are attempted to entertain the young guests, creating a festive atmosphere that sets the scene for a pivotal day to come.

As the opening credits roll, the story delves into a pivotal day for the teenagers in Haley's hometown. They dress in their finest attire, believing this day to be the most significant in their lives, filled with nervous energy and anticipation.

Haley Bodell expresses her worries about the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony to her friends, Trish and Gwen. However, they dismiss her concerns with laughter, encouraging her to move past her anxieties despite the pressure she feels.

A boy in the group, overwhelmed with nerves, experiences what appears to be a panic attack, leaving him mute. His friends decide to ignore him and move on to Monty's, leaving him behind and causing his distress to deepen.

The teenagers gather at Monty’s, a beloved local delicatessen, for an extraordinary ritual involving food, dance, and romantic tension. This event promises to dramatically alter their lives and serves as a pivotal moment for all the teens involved.

Feeling increasingly isolated amidst the celebrations, Haley decides to leave Monty's. She struggles to reach her friends and is disheartened when she finds both Trish and Gwen paired up during the ceremony, further amplifying her feelings of loneliness.

Haley trudges home, attempting to call her friends but receiving no response. At home, she endures a strained dinner with her parents, reflecting her emotional turmoil and sense of abandonment.

Meanwhile, the boy left behind suffers a misfortune when he falls into a manhole, resulting in a broken leg. He ends up in the hospital, where his disappointed mother brings him dinner before leaving him in an abandoned warehouse with minimal supplies.

In another part of town, a trio of burnout friends hang out in a desolate parking lot, discussing their lives while munching on stolen snacks. They ride hoverboards aimlessly before heading to a party, depicting their sense of detachment from the world.

At the party, one guest, a frustrated aspiring musician who works at Monty’s, realizes his dreams are slipping away. In a moment of despair, he takes drastic action by destroying his guitar, symbolizing his anger and frustration with his situation.

The following morning, Haley continues her desperate search for her friends by visiting their homes. She finds herself coming up empty-handed, highlighting her feelings of isolation and loss.

In a moment of introspection, Haley returns to the park where the film began. She watches the ongoing festivities of the child's birthday party, confronting her own emotional turmoil and the stark contrast between her feelings and the happiness around her.