The In Crowd

The events take place over a single summer, centered around the end-of-summer party at the country club. The social calendar and appearances drive the drama, with secrets bubbling to the surface as the season winds down. The setting emphasizes a contemporary, affluent milieu where reputation matters.

Primarily set at an exclusive East Coast country club, the setting oozes luxury, privilege, and social competition. The club serves as a stage for gossip, power plays, and the pursuit of control within a tight-knit circle of wealthy teens. The mental institution later becomes a counterpoint, exposing the fragility behind the glossy exterior.

🎭 Clique Culture

Adrien is drawn into a bubble of wealth and beauty where appearances trump truth. Brittany wields social currency to isolate others and test loyalties. The fear of losing status fuels cruelty, propelling manipulation that others cannot escape.

🔍 Secrets and Lies

Brittany digs into Adrien's past, discovering a vulnerability she can weaponize. The group hides its crimes behind smiling façades, making deceit an art form. As secrets surface, trust collapses and violence becomes a tool to protect reputations.

🧠 Mental Health and Control

Adrien's stay at the mental institution frames the narrative as a battle over agency. The system's suspicion shifts blame onto Adrien, exposing how vulnerability can be exploited. The final revelations expose how mental health labels can be weaponized to silence rivals.