As the story unfolds through Puck's eyes, he embarks on an existential journey, intertwining threads of anarchistic philosophy with his daily existence within a vibrant community. As he meanders through the commune's landscape, the visual narrative showcases a miniature society where free-spirited inhabitants, each with their unique tales, coexist. Among them is Johnny Red, a radical from the 1960s who sees Sweden as the ultimate utopia; his girlfriend, Gin, encapsulates the essence of the hippie movement; Karla, who struggles with misandry, identifies as bisexual; Sweeney, a DJ known for his promiscuity, spins records at a local music store; and Double D, a lovable yet simple member of the commune and Puck's closest companion. Alongside these characters are "The Trolls," a quirky group of "crunchy types" living in tents and providing home education to a dozen children.
This eclectic collective, known as "Sam," thrives on a cooperative anarchist bookstore where residents rotate duties at the front desk. What initially appears as a tranquil and harmonious abode changes with the entry of Johnny Black, a stern, militant nihilist whose presence looms large. Although he aligns with some of the communes' rebellious beliefs, he criticizes Johnny Red's seemingly naive protest strategies.
Overwhelmed by feelings of stagnation, Puck ventures out in search of romantic engagement and encounters Jody, a young Republican college student. In navigating her political views and academic backgrounds, Puck's internal strife deepens, leading him to temporarily leave the commune in pursuit of new employment and living arrangements.
Upon returning, Puck is met with startling changes, as Johnny Black's influence has mushroomed. Black encourages forming alliances with similar-minded factions, his methods shifting increasingly towards aggressiveness. During a crucial protest planning meeting against a petroleum plant, Johnny Black denounces the peaceful strategies of many and suggests disruptive tactics utilizing semtex and The Anarchist Cookbook.
The stage is set for a compelling clash between Puck's anarchic ideals and Johnny Black's rising militancy, resulting in the commune teetering on the edge of transformation. Johnny Red poignantly reflects on the cookbook, dismissing it as a "relic from the past," implicating that the fault lies not with the manual but with those seeking guidance within its pages. The author, William Powell, has renounced the publication, a move Johnny acknowledges as vital accountability.
In a twist, Johnny Black discovers Red's private journal revealing disturbing confessions and chooses to expose it for Gin to find. After reading Johnny Red's troubling admissions, she swiftly severs ties with him, pushing Red into anxiety as he becomes increasingly subservient to Black's will.
Simultaneously, while Puck, Double D, and Sweeney are delivering science kits, they are intercepted by a police officer who reveals that their run-down abode operates as an orphanage. When they comply with a search, they inadvertently lead the officer to Karla, caught using drugs with Johnny Black. In a rapid sequence of events, the whole group—excluding Red—faces arrest and subsequent trial.
The judge, a resentful former partner of Karla, imposes harsh penalties: the commune is shuttered, Johnny Black is sentenced to medium-security prison with a chance for parole, Sweeney and Double D are mandated community service, Karla requires psychiatric evaluation, and Puck, confined under house arrest for half a year, must move back in with his parents in Plano, Texas. As he grapples with his new constraints, Puck finds comfort in Jody’s support.
Four months pass, and Johnny Black is released, appearing unexpectedly at Puck's home and persuading him to remove his house arrest device, prompting Puck to reintegrate with the community. However, he soon faces a grim truth: Karla, Sweeney, and Double D are knee-deep in addiction at a new squat called "Son of Sam." Black's strategy now involves forming an alliance with extremist groups, including neo-Nazis, under the guise of mutual ideological support, all while distributing The Anarchist Cookbook.
As disillusionment with their approach grows, Puck, driven by concern for Double D's welfare, integrates further into Black's realm, which leads to tragedy when Double D succumbs to a drug overdose. This harrowing event catapults Puck into a state of urgency, compelling him to join forces with Sweeney and Johnny Red to concoct a plan involving drug-laced pancakes to incapacitate their associates before a catastrophic divide occurs.
As the organization's members fall unconscious, survivors flee, leaving Puck with a heavy heart. Realizing the urgency of the situation, he chooses to report the group’s unlawful activities to the FBI, resulting in a generous $200,000 reward. With this newfound fortune and a fresh perspective, Puck heeds Jody’s counsel and returns to college, setting his sights on a more promising path.
Heading to California, he chooses to accept a lift from a truck driver. When asked for his name, he ponders this deeply personal question. Ultimately, he embraces both his real and chosen identity—Peter Puck, a significant step in his evolution. In the film's closing moments, Puck delivers a heartfelt monologue, contemplating his transformational journey and reassessing his ideals, as he renounces the concept of “freedom without responsibility,” a stark contrast to his earlier musings.
