Note: Presented in a mockumentary style reminiscent of This is Spinal Tap, this film introduces us to the once-popular boy band, The Style Boyz. The band features Owen Bouchard/Kid Contact (Jorma Taccone), Lawrence Dunne/Kid Brain (Akiva Schaffer), and Conner Friel/Kid Conner (Andy Samberg), who were influential figures in the music industry, inspiring stars like Usher, Nas, and Questlove with their iconic hit, Donkey Roll. However, as time passed, the spotlight shone solely on Conner, leading to tensions with Owen and Lawrence that caused the band to disband.
Fast forward to the present, where Conner has launched his solo career as Conner4Real—a name synonymous with success and ego. While Owen remains loyal as his DJ, Lawrence has retreated to rural life, embracing farming. Conner's debut solo album, Thriller, Also, achieved stunning sales, highlighted by an extravagant live performance featuring a hologram of Adam Levine and his single I'm So Humble. His ambitious nature is evident as he prepares to release his second album, CONNquest, which features the controversial single Equal Rights, where he emphatically declares, > "I'M NOT GAY" while showcasing various “straight” elements. Unfortunately, the album's reception is disheartening; it receives an emoji from Rolling Stone that symbolizes its poor quality.
Conner's attempts to reclaim his former glory lead to questionable partnerships and a publicity stunt involving Aquaspin, where their products play his music, creating chaotic nationwide blackouts. As his new album flops in sales, Conner embarks on a tour with enthusiastic fan Hunter The Hungry (Chris Redd), performing outrageous songs like Bin Laden, where he compares a woman's desires to America's treatment of Bin Laden. Amidst this whirlwind, a mishap during his performance leads to a scandalous incident, drawing the mocking gaze of the media.
In a bid to salvage his image, Conner stages a dramatic proposal to his airheaded girlfriend, Ashley Wednesday (Imogen Poots), culminating in chaos that results in a lawsuit filed by the bewildered singer Seal. With public opinion dwindling, Conner attempts to reconnect with his past by inviting Owen and Lawrence to a gathering, leading to miscommunication and further embarrassment.
As tensions mount, Conner suffers a breakdown, desperately returning to his mother's home after the death of his pet turtle, whom he honors in a peculiar blend of grief and insanity. A heartfelt visit from his publicist, Paula (Sarah Silverman), prompts reconsideration of his relationships, leading to a trip to Lawrence's farm where genuine apologies and friendship begin to mend old wounds.
The story crescendos at the Pop Awards, where Conner faces a pivotal decision: to perform alone or reunite with his long-lost friends. Ultimately, he chooses the latter, resulting in a performance that revitalizes their bond and wins over the audience. The grand finale features a thrilling new song with surprise appearances, culminating in a massive celebration of friendship and creativity as Conner finds joy in performing alongside his bandmates once more. Despite a humorous twist with a new turtle named Maximus 2, he finds himself facing yet another challenge—being mauled by a wolf.
As the credits roll, the persistent comedic duo from CMZ reflect on their futile attempts to taunt Conner, ultimately shifting their focus to mocking other celebrities, underscoring the film's satirical take on fame and the pressures that accompany it.
