Rosemead

Joe is diagnosed with schizophrenia and begins regular therapy and medication. Irene, his mother, hides her own cancer diagnosis from him in an effort to shield him from additional stress. The illness starts to shape their daily life at home and at school as Joe's symptoms surface.

One day Irene decides to join Joe in a therapy session. The therapist has Joe reminisce about a happy memory with Irene and his father, highlighting their bond and the strain caused by his illness. The moment underscores the fragile dynamic between care, memory, and Joe's current struggles.

During the session, Joe recounts a memory of Irene, his father, and Joe dancing and singing in a motel at night. The memory contrasts with his present symptoms, illustrating a past sanity and warmth that Irene longs to protect. The therapist uses the story to anchor Joe's emotions and sense of safety.

Irene and Joe eat together while a radio report details recent school shooting events. Joe increases the volume when Irene tries to switch it off, signaling their different responses to violence and danger. The scene foreshadows how outside events will intensify Joe's anxiety and impulsivity.

During a school drill, Joe becomes overwhelmed and runs through empty classrooms, causing property damage. The school's security cameras record his erratic movements and link the incident to him. Irene is confronted by school officials who suggest transferring Joe to another school with more resources, but she rejects the idea.

Administrators present Irene with the evidence from cameras tying the damage to Joe. Irene dismisses the transfer suggestion, convinced that removing him would not address his underlying issues. Her decision keeps Joe in his current environment, increasing the risk of future incidents.

Joe's episodes become more frequent, with bursts of violence, shattered items, and moments of self-harm. Irene discovers the mess around his room and the damaged belongings, realizing the depth of his struggle. She starts to engage more in his therapy and considers what practical steps might help him.

Irene spots Joe's laptop open to tabs about mass shootings such as Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, and others, revealing a disturbing fixation. She grows increasingly worried about how this fixation could escalate into real danger. She begins attending Joe's therapy sessions and shares her concerns with the therapist, seeking guidance on how to respond.

After a doctor visit reveals the cancer is not responding to treatment, Irene visits a local gun shop to check whether Joe has visited. The shop owner confirms that Joe had visited and showed interest in a gas mask. This discovery deepens Irene's concern for Joe's safety and the safety of others.

An appointment with Irene's doctors reveals that the experimental drug is not working and she likely has only months to live. The prognosis heightens the urgency of planning for Joe's future care. The looming deadline also adds emotional pressure as Joe approaches adulthood.

Joe goes missing after another episode, and his friends join the search. Irene drives around the city, posting missing-person fliers and talking to locals about his whereabouts. After a few days, she receives a call that Joe has been spotted at a motel, reuniting with her.

Irene visits her friend who owns an herbal medicine shop and drops off the deed to her printing shop, signaling a shift toward preparing for life beyond Joe's care. She also makes another visit to the gun shop, hinting at mounting desperation. The day deepens the sense of looming tragedy.

On Joe's 18th birthday, they are in the motel where Joe has fond memories. Irene gives Joe white sneakers as a gift and he asks her to stay in the motel room forever to keep them safe from the outside world. The moment blends tenderness with the weight of the impending separation as adulthood nears.

In the motel room, Irene returns with a gun to kill her son, a desperate culmination of fear and longing to protect him from a cruel world. She cleans the room meticulously, then makes a call to burn family photos and cover up their past. She calls the police about the incident and is arrested, but dies from cancer before she could be tried.