Will, portrayed by Ben Foster, is an Iraq War veteran grappling with the heavy weight of PTSD as he strives to provide a semblance of stability for his 13-year-old daughter, Tom. They live in a secluded public park in Portland, Oregon, leading an incredibly minimalist existence filled with self-sufficiency and minimal human interaction. Together, they adapt to the challenging environment, honing skills that allow them to thrive in the wilderness, as Will teaches Tom survival techniques and drills for evading detection.
Their solitary lifestyle takes a drastic turn when a jogger inadvertently spots Tom, leading to their arrest by officers who, despite their efforts to hide, find them with the help of sniffer dogs. This unfortunate incident results in them being placed in the care of social services, where they are assessed. Surprisingly, Tom exhibits educational advancement despite her unconventional upbringing, raising concerns among the officials who fail to recognize their tent in the woods as a legitimate home.
The case worker, Jean Bauer, played by Dana Millican, takes a special interest in Tom's well-being and insists that Will must secure proper shelter for his daughter, further examining the dynamics of their relationship. Longing to return to their former life, Will is apprehensive about conforming to societal norms. They are temporarily relocated to a Christmas tree farm owned by Mr. Walters, where Will reluctantly begins work, and Tom is enrolled in school, gradually embracing new friendships and experiences.
However, the pressure of conformity weighs heavily on Will, who expresses his desire to return to the woods, a stance that pits him against Tom's budding independence and connection to her peers. His abrupt decision to leave their temporary home comes as a shock to Tom, who is beginning to enjoy their defined routine and societal engagement. Back at the park, they discover their camp in ruins, leading to growing tensions between them as Tom feels her father did not fight hard enough for their new beginning.
In their quest for belonging, they find themselves meandering through various transport methods, from railroad boxcars to buses, and eventually hitching a ride to a more remote forest in Washington State. Battling the elements, including cold and unexpected hardships, they manage to find a vacant cabin for shelter but face a new crisis when Will injures himself in a ravine during a food hunt.
In a moment of resilience, Tom, unwilling to let her father be taken away for treatment, seeks help from local quad bikers. They transport Will to a mobile home community, where he receives care from a former Army medic who understands his plight with PTSD. While in recovery, Will decides it’s best for them to leave, disregarding Tom’s newfound contentment and stability in the community. Their heart-wrenching farewell encapsulates the struggle between a father's instinct to protect and a daughter's desire for independence. “The same thing that's wrong with you isn't wrong with me,” she expresses, challenging Will's perspective as they tearfully part ways, uncertain of their futures yet connected by an unbreakable bond. In a gesture of love, Tom leaves a food package in the forest, signifying hope for Will's survival.
