Role Models

Danny Donahue and his colleague Wheeler work as energy drink salesmen for Minotaur in Los Angeles. They travel to local schools in their custom Minotaur-themed SUV, delivering infomercials disguised as anti-drug messages, a unique twist that sets the tone for their unconventional job.

Danny struggles with negativity in his life and his relationship with his girlfriend, Beth, becomes strained as a result. In a misguided effort to fix things, he proposes to her, only to face rejection and a painful breakup that deepens his feelings of inadequacy.

After a failed sales attempt at a high school, Danny and Wheeler find themselves in a precarious situation when they discover that their SUV is being towed. In a chaotic attempt to rescue their vehicle, they crash it into a statue on the school grounds, intensifying their troubles.

Facing consequences for their actions, Danny and Wheeler are sentenced to 30 days in jail. However, with Beth's help, they manage to get their sentence reduced to 150 hours of community service, shifting the course of their misadventures.

The duo is assigned to Sturdy Wings, a mentorship program run by Gayle Sweeny, an ex-drug addict. Gayle sets strict rules to ensure that Danny and Wheeler take their community service seriously, marking the beginning of their transformative journey.

Danny is paired with Augie Farks, a socially awkward boy obsessed with live-action role-playing, while Wheeler mentors Ronnie Shields, a rebellious teen. Both men struggle to connect with their mentees, highlighting their individual challenges in the mentorship.

As time progresses, the unlikely pairs begin to bond over their shared interests. Wheeler connects with Ronnie through their mutual love for the rock band KISS, while Danny reluctantly engages in Augie's passion for role-playing games, fostering unexpected friendships.

During a camping trip with the program, Wheeler tries to escape with a fellow mentor, leading to an awkward situation. Fortunately, Ronnie and Augie come to his rescue, showcasing their growing camaraderie, despite the chaos of the moment.

The progress in Danny's mentorship with Augie takes a hit when Augie mistakenly 'kills' a fellow role-player during the Battle Royale. This incident leads to a ban for both Danny and Augie, igniting feelings of frustration for Danny, who tries to defend his mentee.

Determined to support Augie, Danny visits his home but faces pushback from Augie’s unsupportive parents. This confrontation solidifies Danny's resolve to stand by Augie and advocate for his hobbies, even as his own frustrations grow.

Wheeler attends a party that leads him to neglect Ronnie, causing the teen to feel abandoned and hurt. This moment of betrayal emphasizes the importance of their mentorship and the strain it can create in their budding friendship.

After receiving multiple complaints from the boys' parents, Gayle decides to expel Danny and Wheeler from the mentorship program. Their termination brings them to the brink of serving their original jail time, putting them in a dire situation.

In a tense elevator ride, Danny and Wheeler argue, nearly causing a rift in their friendship. However, this conflict prompts Wheeler to rekindle his bond with Ronnie, while Danny reaffirms his commitment to supporting Augie.

Danny takes charge to organize a team for Augie's participation in the Battle Royale, including Wheeler and Ronnie. This event becomes pivotal as they don KISS-themed costumes and arrive in the Minotaur SUV, ready to support Augie.

The climax unfolds during the Battle Royale as Augie faces off against the King and ultimately experiences defeat. Despite the setback, he gains validation for his interests and even shares a moment with Esplen, subtly hinting at a budding romance as Danny's heartfelt gesture towards Beth reignites their relationship.