Nebraska

Woody Grant, played by Bruce Dern, is found walking aimlessly through the streets of Billings, Montana. A police officer notes his wandering and contacts his son David to intervene and bring him home.

David discovers that Woody is determined to travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, to claim a so-called $1 million sweepstakes prize. After examining the announcement, David realizes it's a fraudulent mail scam aimed at deceiving recipients into subscribing to magazines.

Back at home, David's mother, Kate, expresses frustration over Woody's obsession with the nonexistent money. This family situation deeply affects David, who works as a stereo salesman, leading to discussions about Woody's mental health and potential care options.

One day, Kate calls David in a panic, revealing that Woody has gone missing again. This prompts David to set out on a rescue mission to find his father, leading to his decision to drive Woody to Lincoln despite reservations from their mother.

While on their road trip, Woody vanishes for a while and indulges in a night of heavy drinking. When he returns to their hotel, he falls and injures himself, which leads David to take him to the hospital the next day.

At the hospital, Woody's condition is assessed, leading to the realization that he has lost his dentures. They search for and eventually find the dentures at a train station, showcasing the humorous yet poignant moments of their journey.

Upon reaching Woody's hometown of Hawthorne, Nebraska, David and Woody enjoy a family lunch with Woody's brother, Ray, and relatives. The reunion allows them to recall fond memories while addressing unresolved family tensions.

At a local bar, Woody's past struggles with alcohol resurface as he candidly shares his feelings of indifference towards his family. An argument escalates, causing Woody to storm off, highlighting the strains within the family dynamics.

The family meets Woody's old business partner, Ed Pegram, which brings up old grievances, including animosity about Woody's stolen air compressor. The atmosphere becomes tense as Woody claims to have won a fortune, exciting the patrons who toast to him blindly.

During dinner, Ed disrupts the evening by performing karaoke, drawing attention to Woody's presence. In a painful bathroom encounter, David learns about a debt Woody owes to Ed, adding to the family's complicated dynamics.

Additional relatives arrive, complicating the mood by requesting money from Woody, who they believe owes them. Tensions rise until Kate steps in, revealing that these relatives actually owe Woody money, adding to the family conflicts.

They tour Woody's dilapidated childhood home, where family memories intertwine with current grievances. David and Ross impulsively attempt to reclaim a stolen air compressor but mistakenly invade the wrong property.

That night, old secrets emerge when Ed speaks of Woody's past infidelities, leading to emotional confrontations. The situation escalates with David's nephews robbing him of the sweepstakes letter, revealing their disdain for both Woody and David.

Finally arriving at the marketing agency, Woody and David are disheartened to learn that Woody isn't a prize winner after all. As a consolation, Woody receives a hat, symbolizing the futility of his journey to claim imaginary riches.

David sells his car to buy Woody a truck, solidifying their bond amidst the chaos. They drive through the town, making new memories together, celebrating family connections, and enjoying the thrill of the open road.