The story begins with a startling traffic accident, leaving two young individuals on the ground—one barely moving, the other completely still. As Tessa regains consciousness in the hospital, we are led into a series of flashbacks that reveal her life leading up to this pivotal moment.
182 days earlier, Tessa is immersed in her passion for photography in a beautiful coastal town. She stumbles upon a local theater screening a classic French film and meets Skylar, a true romantic who offers to translate the movie for her. Despite their contrasting outlooks on life, a connection forms.
Fast forward to 102 days before the accident, where Tessa is motivated to apply to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) for her artistic talents. During a rowing meet, she and Skylar finally reunite, realizing they’ve been searching for each other. The day unfolds in a world that Tessa showcases through her unique lens. At the abandoned Empyrean hotel, they dance the waltz, share their first kiss, and Skylar promises to return for the summer.
Returning to the present, Tessa grapples with the RISD deadline looming over her. While on her way home, she discards her developing materials, influenced by her adoptive father's remark about her mother's tendency to abandon things. In her dreams, she often sees Skylar, sparked by her Robert Doisneau print of Le baiser de l'hôtel de ville. One memorable flashback on July 4th reveals a day filled with fireworks, intimate conversations, and their first love-making by the shore, solidifying their bond.
Tessa explains to her friend Shannon the idea from The In Between, which describes a period when someone who has passed needs to make a final connection before moving on. While sitting the SAT, something strange occurs as Skylar's spirit seems to guide her hand, causing her to draw an erratic scribble—a hint of their intertwined fates. They hear their song, "Never Tear Us Apart," play on everyone's devices at the same time, adding to the mystery.
In a flashback 11 days before the tragedy, tension builds when Skylar exhibits a photo Tessa gifted him. This act reveals her struggle to openly express her feelings, despite Skylar's hopes of a shared future. Seeking advice, Tessa photographs her adoptive mother, only to be urged to voice her emotions.
With Shannon's help, they attempt to connect with Skylar using various methods, experimenting with planchette and electronic voice phenomena. Unexpectedly, the television responds to their attempts, giving Tessa hope. When she discovers that the GPS in her adoptive mother's car reveals the route she sketched during the SAT, she realizes the significance of her scribblings. Following the path leads her to meet Doris, the author of The In Between, who encourages her to find Skylar at their most meaningful places.
5 days before the accident, Tessa learns of Skylar's decision to support his father in Oregon, which leads her to interpret it as a sign. Despite being on the verge of confessing her feelings and submitting her RISD application, she ends their relationship in heartbreak.
After purchasing special photography gear, Shannon drives Tessa to the locations that hold rich memories of her time with Skylar, hoping to capture his essence or spirit. In a final attempt at The Empyrean, they finally make contact, but their connection proves fragile when Skylar unintentionally shatters a mirror while reaching for her. When police arrive, Tessa is taken back home after being tracked through her phone. Overwhelmed and collapsing, she faces a heart surgery that looms ahead.
Sneaking out of the hospital with Shannon's assistance and Skylar’s clever manipulation of the electronics, they race back to the accident site. In an evocative flashback, Tessa remembers that fateful night as she chases after Skylar before his departure, causing their timelines to merge. As paramedics administer help to Tessa’s lifeless body, she is momentarily reunited with Skylar, reimagining their love in a serene, black-and-white Paris and echoing the sentiment, > "love never dies."
In a touching mid-credits scene, Tessa and Skylar are seen joyfully drawing stick figures in the sand on the beach, embodying their enduring connection.
