During the tumultuous period of the Second Sudanese Civil War, siblings Mamere (Arnold Oceng), Paul (Emmanuel Jal), Jeremiah (Ger Duany), Theo (Femi Oguns), Daniel, and Abital (Kuoth Wiel) are forced to flee when their village is brutally attacked and their family members are mercilessly slaughtered. As the oldest sibling, Theo is quickly designated as the chief and leads them through the harrowing wilderness.
After enduring countless days of survival and hunting for food, the siblings manage to join a larger group of refugees. However, their hope is short-lived when they are ambushed by enemy soldiers, resulting in a tragic massacre. One night, while lying in the grasslands, Mamere wakes to see two soldiers approaching. To protect his siblings, Theo swiftly hides them away and bravely confronts the soldiers, claiming he is the only one there. Tragically, he is taken prisoner. The group eventually reaches a Sudanese refugee camp in Nairobi, Kenya, but not before suffering another loss when Daniel succumbs to illness.
Fast forward thirteen years later, amidst the chaos of the camp, the remaining siblings receive an opportunity for relocation to the United States. Mamere, known for his intelligence, is under the mentorship of the camp’s doctor while dreaming of becoming a medical professional. Upon their arrival in New York City during Spring 2001, Abital is unexpectedly selected to go to Boston, leaving the others heartbroken as she departs with a tearful goodbye.
In a significant change of fortune, Jeremiah, Mamere, and Paul make their way to Kansas City, where they meet Carrie Davis (Reese Witherspoon), a vibrant and somewhat unconventional employment counselor. Her role is to assist the brothers in finding jobs and to help them adjust to their new life, alongside Pamela (Sarah Baker), who provides them housing and support. Carrie, who was called in at the last minute to fetch the boys from the airport, surprises them with her assertive demeanor and independence.
Mamere's heartfelt attempts to reunite with Abital through Pamela are met with disappointment, as Pamela feels powerless in that regard. Initially, Carrie faces challenges in securing jobs for the brothers due to their lack of experience and social skills. However, through persistence and the aid of her friends, she introduces them to essential social skills and even the art of deception, helping them land jobs.
As the tragic events of September 2001 unfold in NYC, the refugee program faces indefinite suspension. Jeremiah finds work at a grocery store while also volunteering to teach Sunday school, only to later resign after an ethical dilemma causes him to give away old food to the homeless. Paul, on the other hand, works in a factory where he encounters negative influences and begins to unravel.
Carrie, eventually becoming a vital resource for Jeremiah, gets drawn into the brothers' personal struggles; their nickname for her, "Yardit," translates to "Great White Cow," reflecting their affectionate yet teasing bond. Tensions rise when Paul’s behavior at work becomes increasingly erratic, leading to his arrest for vandalism. A confrontation with Mamere reveals deep-seated frustrations, with Paul blaming Mamere for Theo's capture by enemy soldiers. After a night of reflection, the brothers reconcile.
Understanding the family dynamic is fractured without Abital, Carrie resolves to become a host herself and persuades Pamela to support her in facilitating Abital’s transfer from Boston. Meanwhile, Mamere strives to support his education by juggling two jobs as a store clerk and a security guard, motivated by the aspiration to become a doctor.
On Christmas Eve, a poignant reunion unfolds as Carrie brings Abital back to their home, allowing the Lost Boys of Sudan to finally celebrate their birthday on January 1, a date they had never known. An unexpected letter about someone searching for the group in the refugee camp sparks hope in Abital.
Eager to find out if it’s Theo, Mamere travels back to Nairobi to search the camp, only to discover Theo is not officially registered. After reconnecting with an old friend named James, Mamere joyfully reunites with Theo the next day. Despite a series of challenges in acquiring immigration papers from various embassies, Mamere reassures Theo that all tasks are completed. In a moment of sacrifice, he ultimately gives Theo his own passport, embodying the theme of sacrifice—the "good lie."
As the brothers part ways with a mixture of tears and hope at the airport, Mamere remains behind in Kenya, committed to serving at the hospital within the camp, showcasing the enduring bonds of family even in the hardest of times.
