On the Wrong Track

Paul, a well-mannered 17-year-old, hangs with his hot-headed brother Dee and a rebellious group. After being insulted, they blow up a rich man's car, signaling a dangerous turn in their behavior. The incident draws the attention of King Kong and foreshadows the trouble ahead.

One night, Paul and Dee sneak out to join their friends and clash with rival groups. Dee is injured, and Paul is confronted by Larry when he returns home. King Kong arrives and informs on the incident, intensifying the family’s tense dynamic.

At school, Paul is punished while his brother and classmates stir further trouble, including bringing weapons into class. The punishment continues at home, with Larry making them clean the house and denying dinner. The friction highlights a widening rift between father and sons.

Paul learns he failed his SAT, crushing his future prospects. He then encounters Sze, a Vietnamese refugee, and their budding connection begins to influence his choices. The meeting marks the start of a complicated new chapter.

Larry reveals plans to marry his girlfriend, triggering mixed reactions from Paul and Dee. Dee storms off to join his friends, and they end up seeing King Kong and stealing his car, an act that leads to Dee’s injury. The scene deepens the family’s turmoil.

The next morning, Larry slaps Dee and Paul for failing to protect a younger brother and throws them out of the house. The harsh punishment cements a growing estrangement within the family.

Paul tries to move on, telling Sze about his bruises, but Larry unexpectedly apologizes for last night’s beating. The moment provides a brief lull in the conflict, even as underlying tensions remain.

That night, Paul sneaks into the refugee camp and is shocked to learn Sze has a child. He still pursues a relationship with her despite the risks and complexities they face. The refugee setting amplifies the stakes of their romance.

While shopping, Sze is accused of stealing and insulted; Paul is slapped when Dee interferes, leading to a confrontation with security. Larry learns the boss of the store is his girlfriend’s mother, intertwining personal and business tensions.

After another punishment, the parents decide to send Paul and Dee to Taiwan. They attempt to destroy the mother’s supermarket, but King Kong arrives and they flee. In the scuffle, Dee is shot by King Kong and Paul is arrested.

In prison, Paul disowns his father in front of other inmates and then inflicts self-harm, signaling deep anger and disillusion. The experience hardens him and foreshadows a harsher outlook after release.

After his release, Paul becomes more aggressive and fights with gangsters who harass Sze. Roger arranges a settlement with the gang boss, leading to an auto race where Paul wins and the rival car is crushed or exploded.

Paul learns Sze will be sent to New Guinea, and he pleads with his father to allow them to marry. Larry refuses, deepening the rift and fueling Paul’s resolve to fight for her.

Paul visits Sze at the refugee camp but gets into a clash with other refugees and is arrested. At the police station, King Kong taunts him, escalating the feud and setting the stage for a final showdown.

Paul lures King Kong to a closed shopping mall for a final confrontation. A car chase and knife assault lead to Paul slashing Kong, grabbing his revolver, and using his car to run Kong down. Kong shoots Paul in the head behind the car, ending the duel with a fatal blow.