Memoria

Ivan grows up in Palo Alto with his Russian immigrant mother and an American stepfather who can't seem to connect with him. He feels unsatisfied and isolated, and others notice his distinctive blonde hair, pale skin, and the Russian army jacket from his father.

His stepfather's inability to build a bond deepens the distance between them. The combination of family strain and his distinctive look marks his early sense of alienation.

As a teen, Ivan drifts with a group of working-class slacker friends, feeling alienated even as a connection forms with Nina. He grows jealous of Alex's relationship with Kelly, fueling a sense of insecurity.

In high school, Ivan remains a follower within the group, not breaking from the mold that keeps him dissatisfied. He shows little motivation to change his position.

The group of friends takes acid one night and drives around, culminating in a minor car accident that seems to involve hitting an animal. The incident unsettles Ivan and foreshadows his escalating unrest.

Mr. Wyckoff, a concerned high school teacher, notices Ivan's struggles and tries to get him to open up. He offers a writing assignment as a pathway to expression, hoping to spark some insight.

Ivan completes the assignment with a story about his future life after high school in San Francisco, revealing low aspirations but a stubborn pull toward a different dream. The exercise exposes the tension between his reality and longing.

At the end-of-high-school party, Nina jokes that she wants to rob banks, live in mansions, and invites Ivan to join her. He sees this as a chance to get closer to her and tries to kiss her, but she rejects him, insisting they are only friends.

During the same party, Ivan walks in on a couple having sex in a bedroom and then watches someone passed out in vomit in another room. The chaotic scene amplifies his sense of disillusionment and danger.

Back downstairs, a teen accuses Ivan of stealing alcohol and punches him. The fight intensifies his anger and sense of injustice.

After the brutal night, Ivan drives home, grabs his stepfather's hunting rifle, and heads back to the party with the intent to shoot it up. He seeks a release for his mounting rage when the targets are present.

When he arrives, there is no one suitable to attack, so he returns home and sneaks into his parents' room planning to kill his stepfather, but his nerves prevent him from acting.

The film ends with Ivan standing on the Golden Gate Bridge, gazing out at the water while leaving his father's jacket behind on the bridge.