The film opens with a nostalgic voice-over from Alice Kinney (Reese Witherspoon), reflecting on her life leading up to her 40th birthday. Her tale intertwines with the life of her father, a renowned filmmaker who fell in love with his leading actress, Lillian Stewart (Candice Bergen). Following Alice's birth, her father's affair led to the end of their marriage. After a failed marriage with Austen (Michael Sheen), with whom she shares two daughters, Alice relocates from New York City to her father's former residence in Los Angeles, determined to revive her interior design career.
As the story unfolds, we see Alice in a moment of vulnerability, crying in her bathroom on her birthday. Her daughters encourage her to stay strong as they prepare for their first day at a new school. Simultaneously, brothers Harry (Pico Alexander) and Teddy (Nat Wolff), alongside their friend George (Jon Rudnitsky), find themselves without a place to stay after being kicked out of a motel. Their short film had garnered attention during festivals, and they’ve come to LA to pursue their cinematic dreams, with Harry's overabundant confidence serving as a driving force for the trio.
That evening, as Alice celebrates her birthday with friends, chance encounters lead her to the boys, resulting in an unexpected night of dancing and revelry. The flirtation between Alice and Harry ignites, but the night ends with Harry succumbing to the effects of too much alcohol. The following day, Alice grapples with the spontaneity of the evening, while George stumbles upon her father’s impressive collection of film memorabilia, sparking a mix of admiration and nostalgia.
Alice's attempts to secure a job with Zoey Bell (Lake Bell), a wealthy client, don’t pan out as she hopes, leading her to reluctantly accept a smaller project. When Alice returns home, she discovers the boys indulging in conversations about films with Lillian, who suggests they stay with Alice indefinitely. Though hesitantly accepting their presence under the condition that nothing romantic develops with Harry, she finds herself navigating the complexities of their dynamic. Soon thereafter, the boys secure a meeting with Justin Miller (Reid Scott), a popular horror filmmaker, prompting various emotional entanglements.
Establishing friendships with her daughter's friend as well as the boys, Alice begins questioning her choices, particularly as her complicated relationship with Austen unfolds. As misunderstandings and rising tensions emerge, particularly between Harry and Austen, the story delves into the characters' pursuit of their respective passions—both in love and career. An unexpected fight breaks out, leading to Alice realizing it’s time for the boys to leave her home; however, she also takes control of her own narrative by confronting Austen about their marriage.
As time passes, Isabel, Alice's daughter, begins to shine with her writing, while the boys strive for their artistic vision amid the chaos of their lives. Alice finds closure and a newfound independence while fostering connections that matter. The climax builds to a touching moment during Isabel's play, where encouragement and support from her makeshift family help her overcome her fear.
In a heartwarming conclusion, the story wraps with a dinner gathering that celebrates both Alice's and the boys' achievements, evoking a sense of belonging among this eclectic group, highlighting the notion that family can emerge from the most unexpected circumstances.
