As Lloyd approaches his 17th birthday, his overly protective mother, Maggie Cooper, finds it hard to restrain her affection, constantly worrying about the inevitable moment when her beloved son will grow up and no longer need her. A trip to Venice Beach only exacerbates her fears of impending loss, prompting Maggie to push Lloyd toward a rough group of motorcycle riders as a misguided attempt to assert control over his life.
Back in school, Lloyd is mortified to find his mother has decorated the hallways with a loud birthday poster. His English teacher believes Lloyd has a hidden talent for public speaking and insists he perform his poem at an upcoming school event. Yet, both he and his best friend strongly believe he isn't suited for the spotlight. This is the moment he meets Carrie, a classmate enamored with his poetry and interest.
As Maggie's interference escalates, she fixates on Lloyd's sexuality, bombarding him with questions about his personal life. Her well-intentioned yet misguided attempts only serve to drive a wedge between them. During a confrontational PTA meeting, she clashes with the smug chair, Barbara Wolfe, who seems more inclined to impose her own rigid standards than genuinely support the parents involved.
With concerns mounting over college tuition, Maggie scrambles for ways to secure a scholarship for Lloyd. In a bizarre twist of logic, she convinces herself that having a gay son would open doors to financial rewards associated with being part of an underrepresented demographic.
When the Festival of the Arts nears, Lloyd must again confront his mother's overbearing nature. Her embarrassing antics take center stage, further mortifying him as he longs to escape the public eye. Fateful intervention from security personnel eventually quiets Maggie and restores some semblance of order.
After this chaotic event, Lloyd’s father, Max, comes to his aid, bailing his wife out of jail after she stirs up trouble at another PTA meeting. As family dynamics spiral further out of control, Maggie grows even more desperate to forge a deep connection with her son, resorting to stuffing the ballot box to ensure Lloyd's election as prom king.
Throughout the prom court voting ordeal, Lloyd grapples with a rush of emotions, torn between interests in girls and boys. A drink shared with Max offers some clarity as he navigates through the complexities of adolescence and self-identity. Following news of Lloyd's acceptance into New York University (NYU), Maggie invites Parker, a young gay individual, to celebrate. Encouraged by his mother, Parker attempts to bond with Lloyd, recounting stories of romantic adventures, while Max cleverly arranges for a timely exit for Lloyd.
As father and son share a moment, Max becomes aware of Carrie's flirtatious interest in Lloyd. He reminisces about his own youthful romance with Maggie while encouraging Lloyd to embrace a more positive self-image.
During a preliminary scholarship interview, Maggie unwittingly tags along and clumsily guides Lloyd's responses, much to his mortification. At school, Lloyd is mistaken for making advances towards Preston's ex, but Carrie steps in to defend him. Later on, as they discuss prom plans, Carrie reveals her intention to go solo, catching Lloyd by surprise when he proposes they go together, which leaves her assuming he is gay. Lloyd's sincere admiration for Carrie prompts her to accept his invitation.
When the news breaks that Lloyd is taking Carrie to the prom, an enraged Maggie confronts Max, blaming him for corrupting their son. She lashes out, unfairly labeling him a "deadbeat dad" despite having discouraged interaction for over ten years.
As prom night approaches, Max seeks to prepare dinner but discovers Maggie sneaking off. Unbeknownst to him, Maggie has set up a gay date for Lloyd, but when the moment comes, he shares an electrifying kiss with Carrie. The scholarship committee soon learns that it was, in fact, Maggie who applied on Lloyd’s behalf, as he had suggested they seek someone else, wavering due to uncertainties about his sexual direction.
As Carrie and Lloyd depart together, Maggie laments what she perceives as a missed scholarship opportunity, only to face Lloyd’s indifference—he chose NYU precisely to forge his own path away from her influence. In a delightful twist, they are both crowned prom king and queen.
Now embarking on his college journey, Lloyd settles into life at NYU, where unexpected visits from both sets of parents bring a warmth reminiscent of family ties. Their dinner together is a moment marked by newfound harmony, hinting at the potential for reconnection amidst the challenges of adolescence and growth.
