Straight Up (2020) Plot Summary Explained

Todd's fear of dying alone drives him to question his sexuality. Though he likes the men he dates, he has never been able to have penetrative sex with them due to his aversion to bodily fluids. When his psychoanalyst suggests his exploration of women might be self-destructive, Todd decides to continue because he'd rather try anything than face loneliness.

• tod sexuality
• gay
• dating women
• fear of being alone

Todd's friends believe his attraction to Rory proves he's been repressing his true sexuality. They view the relationship as a way for Todd to appear 'straight' to his family and himself, rather than a genuine connection. This tension exists because Todd himself worries his parents might like him more for dating a woman.

• internalized homophobia
• tod's friends
• rory relationship

Rory has her own struggles with emotional connection and insecurity. She admits to having trouble connecting with others, and both characters share a deep intellectual bond but lack physical intimacy. Their relationship is built on constant conversation and shared humor rather than traditional romance.

• rory
• no sex
• intimacy
• relationship

During a truth or dare game at Todd's Christmas party, Rory walks in on Todd in a compromising position with his gay friend. This sudden discovery, combined with her existing unhappiness in LA, triggers her decision to leave Todd and move to Seattle.

• christmas party
• truth or dare
• rory leaves
• gay friend

After Rory moves to Seattle, Todd refuses to date anyone and remains isolated in Los Angeles. When Rory calls him but hangs up, Todd travels to Seattle and makes a grand romantic gesture by proposing. When Rory declines, he passionately declares his love for her, showing he wants only her despite their unconventional relationship.

• proposal
• seattle
• love confession
• romantic gesture

The ending shows Todd and Rory playing a tile game in Seattle when another man sits between them, and an intimacy appears to be developing among the three. This ambiguous conclusion hints at a potential polyamorous dynamic, suggesting both characters may be moving toward an unconventional relationship arrangement.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, both Todd and Rory struggle with traditional intimacy, and neither wants children, indicating they're already open to unconventional relationship structures.

• ending
• trio
• polyamorous
• three people
• ambiguous

Rory becomes increasingly unhappy with her life in Los Angeles and her relationship with Todd. After walking in on him at the Christmas party, she decides to seek a fresh start in Seattle, hoping to build a life where emotional connections feel possible outside of their complicated relationship.

• rory moves
• seattle
• fresh start
• los angeles

Todd has severe OCD and a strong aversion to bodily fluids. When he attempts to hook up with a woman after getting drunk, the moment her hymen breaks and he encounters blood, his anxiety and OCD trigger a panic response. This event reinforces his difficulty with physical intimacy regardless of gender.

• hymen
• panic
• ocd
• bodily fluids

After Rory moves to Seattle, Todd isolates himself emotionally and refuses to date anyone. This demonstrates how deeply connected he became to Rory despite their unconventional relationship, showing his commitment to her specifically rather than to any romantic partner.

• tod refuses to date
• alone
• rory breakup

Rory reconnects with a coworker in Seattle who takes an interest in her, but she realizes they are too different to form a lasting relationship. This reinforces her ongoing struggle with emotional connection and highlights why she ultimately calls Todd instead.

• coworker
• seattle
• not compatible
• rory dates