Will Proudfoot is a gentle and introverted 11-year-old boy raised in a family devoted to the strict beliefs of the Plymouth Brethren church. He is prohibited from watching films or television. This brings him to a point where he is asked to leave class whenever a documentary is shown. In the hallway, he encounters Lee Carter, a mischievous 12-year-old noted for his troublesome behavior, who has just been expelled from another class for his antics. When the two inadvertently shatter a fish bowl, Lee takes it upon himself to take the blame, demanding Will’s watch, a treasured item that belonged to Will's late father, in exchange.
As their unlikely friendship blooms, Lee coerces Will into performing stunts for a film he's making to enter the Screen Test Young Film-Makers' Competition. At Lee's house, Will discovers that Lee plans to utilize home video equipment owned by his older brother Lawrence, who often bullies Lee, to create a homage to the action film First Blood. When hiding from Lawrence, Will inadvertently views the film, sparking a desire to join Lee’s filmmaking venture. This leads Will to enthusiastically tackle several perilous action scenes, which ultimately results in a heartfelt bonding moment — the two boys even become 'blood brothers' after Lee heroically saves Will from drowning.
When Didier Revol, a popular French exchange student, discovers Will's sketchbook and expresses a desire to contribute to the film, Will readily agrees. This marked the beginning of a collaboration that sees their amateur production grow to include the entire school, elevating Will’s status to one among the cool sixth-formers. However, this development frustrates Lee, who feels his directorial control slipping away. Tensions between the boys peak during the filming of the grand finale at an abandoned power station, culminating in a heated argument that leads Lee to storm away in displeasure. As fate would have it, a moment of inattention from Didier results in part of the unstable structure collapsing and trapping Will inside. While the other children flee in fear, Lee bravely returns to rescue his friend, sustaining injuries in the heroic act that leads to his hospitalization.
In the midst of it all, Will's mother finally understands the need for her son to express himself openly, realizing she cannot suppress his burgeoning friendship any longer, and decides to leave the oppressive confines of the Brethren. Tragically, the film misses its competition deadline, leaving their efforts unsubmitted. Yet, when Lawrence reviews Lee's footage, he is taken aback by the unexpected talent displayed and a moment where Lee stood up for him, captured on film, ignites a sense of respect. With Will's encouragement, Lawrence decides to participate in a segment of the film where he expresses his feelings to his brother.
Upon Lee’s departure from the hospital, he is treated to a special screening at the cinema. To everyone's delight, their film is showcased prior to the main feature, leading to an emotional reconciliation between the two boys, highlighting the power of friendship and creativity.
