Hate Crime

Robbie Levinson and Trey McCoy, an openly gay couple, live in a suburban home and plan a commitment ceremony to exchange rings. Barbara suggests to Trey, who then proposes to Robbie, that they consider raising a child.

Chris Boyd arrives next door with a moving truck, and he and Alton watch Robbie and Trey kiss with evident distaste. Alton makes homophobic jokes and hints that they should do something about it, heightening the tension.

Chris issues unprovoked threats toward Robbie, telling him he will go to hell and to watch his back. Chris is a youth pastor and Pastor Boyd condemns homosexuality, deepening fear and hostility in the community.

Kathleen Slansky refuses the church pamphlet, setting off a dispute that underscores the clash between faith and Robbie and Trey's relationship. Robbie learns about the church and Pastor Boyd's anger upon discovering that Chris has long been estranged from their presumed daughter-in-law.

Trey is assaulted on the street while walking his Boston Terrier and is taken to a hospital for treatment. The brutal attack triggers a criminal investigation that upends Robbie's life and plans.

In the hospital, Trey remains in a coma after the attack, and his condition deteriorates into a brain hemorrhage that leads to his death. Robbie clings to the memory of their commitment as the case unfolds.

During Trey's viewing, Robbie wears and presents their commitment rings, symbolizing their bond in the face of loss. The gesture underscores the personal cost of the crime for the couple.

Detective Esposito takes over the case and questions Robbie about Trey’s death, pointing to Robbie's insurance policy and the fingerprints on the alleged weapon. Robbie is arrested and given a restraining order after an attempted covert confession from Chris fails.

Robbie enters Chris' home and finds gay porn in his bookmarks, suggesting hidden sexual activity. Pastor Boyd confronts Chris with photographs of his meetings for anonymous gay sex, revealing Chris's double life and complicating the case.

Detective Fisher informs Alton, who suspects Chris killed Trey after learning Chris was not at home the night of the murder. Pastor Boyd confronts his son and eventually confesses to murdering Trey.

Robbie tapes Pastor Boyd confessing to the murder and hands the recording over to Esposito. Esposito refuses to move against the pastor and confiscates the tape, but Barbara later recovers it.

Chris contemplates suicide and leaves Robbie his father's gun. Robbie, Kathleen, and Barbara conspire to break into Pastor Boyd's home in disguise to retrieve the tape, launching a desperate plan to salvage the evidence.

With Chris's testimony against his dead father, Esposito reluctantly accepts the staged break-in as fact, bringing the case toward a close. The revelation of deep family secrets leaves lasting scars on everyone involved.