Joy

In 1990, Joy Mangano is portrayed as a struggling airline booking agent facing significant financial hardships. Living in Peconic, New York, she juggles her two children and a chaotic family dynamic that includes her single mother, Terri, who is glued to soap operas.

Joy's home is a hub of family chaos, with her maternal grandmother Mimi living with her, alongside her ex-husband Tony, who takes refuge in the basement. This crowded environment is further complicated by the presence of her ambitious half-sister, Peggy, who constantly taunts Joy about her divorce.

During this overwhelming situation, Joy finds inspiration from her grandmother Mimi and best friend Jackie to pursue her dream of inventing. Frustration with conventional mops leads Joy to design an innovative self-wringing mop, representing a turning point in her life.

Joy receives encouragement from a wealthy Italian widow, who is romantically linked to her father Rudy. This widow decides to invest in Joy's entrepreneurial endeavor, helping her secure a low-cost manufacturing deal in California for her mop's components.

As the manufacturing process kicks off, Joy faces a troubling warning from the manufacturer regarding a potential patent conflict with a similar product from Hong Kong. They suggest that she pays $50,000 in royalties, adding more stress to her already heavy burden.

The situation escalates as the manufacturer pressures Joy for additional payments due to faulty parts. Joy, however, refuses to comply, standing firm against the exploitation that threatens her budding business.

In a crucial moment for her career, Joy partners with QVC executive Neil Walker, who recognizes her mop's potential. With his support, they agree to feature the mop on television, marking the beginning of a new phase for Joy's business.

To boost her production, Joy makes the bold decision to take out a second mortgage on her home to produce 50,000 additional units of her mop. This risky move demonstrates her commitment to her invention and the path to success.

Initially, Joy's first television pitch does not go as planned; the celebrity promoting her mop fails to showcase its effectiveness. Undeterred, Joy insists on a second attempt, showing her determination and passion for her product.

Joy's perseverance pays off when the second infomercial airs, resulting in the mop selling out and generating significant profits. However, this moment of triumph is overshadowed by the sad passing of her beloved grandmother, Mimi.

Despite her growing success, Joy's business faces new disasters, especially when Peggy makes unilateral expensive payments to the manufacturer without Joy's consent. This action threatens to unravel everything Joy has worked for, with the manufacturer exploiting contractual loopholes.

As Joy struggles to keep her business afloat, she is forced to file for bankruptcy. Shockingly, she later learns that the alleged rival product in Hong Kong was a fabrication, crafted by the manufacturer to deceive her and gain leverage.

With renewed determination, Joy confronts the manufacturer, Derek Markham, demanding repayment for the excess charges they imposed. Her tenacity and resolve shine as she fights for her patent rights, refusing to be intimidated.

Emerging victorious from her battle, Joy transforms into a successful independent entrepreneur. She not only secures her legacy but also begins to mentor fellow inventors, further solidifying her status in the industry.

As Joy navigates her newfound success, she continues to deal with personal challenges, including supporting her father and facing Peggy's failed lawsuit against her. Despite these trials, Joy’s professional journey leads her to encounter Neil, with whom she shares a complex relationship as both personal allies and competitors in business.