In the heart of Emerald City, Dublin, 14-year-old Emily Egan (Lynch) finds herself grappling with a reality that has been irrevocably transformed. The recent committal of her father, Robert (Smiley), a noted philosopher, university professor, and bestselling author, to a psychiatric institution due to erratic behaviors—like public nudity—has turned her world upside down. A concerned distant relative, fearing Robert's capabilities as a guardian, deemed him unfit, leading to Emily's tumultuous life changes.
Fast forward two years and Emily has been moved between several foster homes, including a stay with her uncle, where her vulnerability was cruelly exploited by an older cousin who read from Robert’s erotic novel. Now, she finds herself in the care of June (Chiarain) and Steve (Loui Vangelder), her latest foster parents. While their care isn’t abusive, Emily feels their attempts at love and happiness are stifling, especially from June, who insists Emily should simply be happy, despite her overwhelming struggle with clinical depression. Her thoughts often drift back to the idyllic days spent with her father, a time when his unconventional approach fostered a love for learning.
Emily's memories are bittersweet, tinged with sorrow over the tragic loss of her mother, Emily (Mullins), who perished in a car accident on her birthday—a trauma that spiraled Robert into a profound mental breakdown. He became obsessed with writing, losing touch with his own basic needs amidst the chaos of creation, exploring philosophical ideas like the molecular similarities between humans and the universe.
In a heartfelt nod to her mother, Emily continues to wear an intricate bracelet—a remnant of happier times—serving as a poignant reminder of her lost childhood as she navigates an uncertain path ahead. As she starts secondary school, she unwittingly draws the attention of Arden (Webster), a shy, socially challenged classmate who harbors an unreciprocated crush. Unfazed by Arden’s awkward advances, Emily is far more concerned with fitting in with her peers, who ridicule her intelligence and unique perspective. The once beloved Wordsworth poem "Ode on Intimations of Immortality" becomes a source of conflict as she refuses to dissect its desexualized interpretations, further solidifying her outsider status.
On the melancholy marking of her sixteenth birthday, Emily's feelings of abandonment are magnified in the absence of her father and the lack of a simple birthday card. In an act of despair, she attempts to take her life by submerging herself in the school pool, only to be saved by her swimming teacher (McCann).
As she begins to confront her emotions, Arden unexpectedly appears at her door, gift in hand—a copy of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, a cherished family heirloom from his Irish grandmother (McCusker). Though her initial reaction is one of ingratitude, it gradually leads to a budding connection. As they walk home together, Emily starts to allow herself to be vulnerable around Arden.
However, her pain resurfaces with another empty letter from her father. Emily's fragility is further exploited by June, but despite this, Arden's steadfast support offers a glimmer of hope. As Arden grapples with his own dysfunctional family—marked by a violent father (Conlon) and submissive mother (White)—Emily persuades him to help her rescue Robert from the institution.
After some initial reluctance, Arden agrees to join Emily on this bold escapade, foregoing school for a day of adventure. As their journey unfolds, they face numerous setbacks while trying to hitchhike through the relentless rain, only to find success when Arden’s wise grandmother assists them with her yellow Renault 4.
The following day, their breakfast stop at a local supermarket turns chaotic as Emily's impulsive theft of groceries alongside a bouquet for Robert ignites a rift between them. Arden’s disapproval clashes with Emily's rationale—that the money should fund their mission, leading them to question the nature of normalcy. The aftermath of their perilous experiences causes Emily to grow increasingly distrustful of authority as she finds herself fleeing from a guard (Ó Héalai) seeking identification.
Their night camping on the beach culminates in a confrontation with local thugs, leaving Emily vulnerable as Arden rushes for help. Just as danger looms, she defiantly tells the attacker, > “Fuck off,” sending them running. When Arden returns, brandishing his grandfather's handgun, it not only scares off their assailants but also solidifies their bond.
Later, Arden orchestrates a daring and eye-catching stunt atop one of the institution’s buildings, capturing the attention of patients and disorderlies alike, while Emily, bouquet ready, sets out in search of Robert. Encountering Dr. Golding (McGovern), she learns the shocking truth: her father is no longer an involuntary patient; he had willingly checked himself in post-committal. This revelation shatters Emily’s understanding of her father’s absence, causing her to grapple with feelings of abandonment.
As the friction between Arden and Emily intensifies, leading to a confrontation at her grandfather's summerhouse, both struggle with the uncertainty of their futures. This tension peaks when Arden storms out, prompting Emily to follow, only to unexpectedly face Robert. Their overdue emotional confrontation unleashes a torrent of pain and understanding, culminating in Emily expressing, “You said nothing could separate us. But you did.” Despite this anguish, she begins to grasp her father's motives behind his distancing.
In the aftermath, Emily’s outlook appears to brighten as she starts dreaming of a hopeful future. When she and Arden return to the summerhouse, their relationship takes a romantic turn, marked by a tender moment full of forgiveness and understanding. Emily, clad in her mother's dress and buoyed by Arden’s presence, finds herself running joyfully into the sea. As he captures her radiant smile on camera, the scene embodies her newfound optimism and acceptance, preparing to embrace the complexities of her life moving forward.
