Scott Carlin, a 24-year-old high school dropout, navigates life on Staten Island alongside his mother, Margie Carlin, and sister, Claire Carlin. Having lost his firefighter father, Stan, at a young age during a hotel fire, Scott grapples with the lasting impact of that tragedy. His life is further complicated by health issues such as Crohn's disease and ADHD, alongside his constant marijuana use. Currently unemployed, he spends his days with friends, including Kelsey, with whom he shares a complicated relationship. While she desires more commitment, Scott fears he doesn't measure up and is apprehensive about deepening their bond.
As Claire prepares to leave for college, she worries that Scott's lingering neuroses may spiral out of control without her support. Despite his aspirations to become a tattoo artist, Scott struggles with inconsistency in his artwork, often practicing on his friends. An unexpected encounter at the beach introduces him to Harold, a curious 9-year-old who initially asks for a tattoo but flees before Scott can finish. Later, Ray Bishop([Bill Burr](bill-burr))—Harold's father—arrives at Scott's home, initially upset but eventually drawn to Margie, leading to their newfound romantic interest. As Margie's relationship blossoms, Scott becomes troubled by her dating a firefighter, mirroring his father's occupation.
Ray attempts to bond with Scott by taking him to a Staten Island Yankees game, but their conversations reveal Scott's deep-seated resentment towards the profession due to its inherent dangers. When Margie and Ray inform Scott that he should find his own place, it shakes him. During a visit with Claire, Scott admits to his intention to end their relationship, believing it to be unhealthy for Margie. Taking a job as a busboy, Scott grows closer to Harold and his sister, Kelly, while grappling with his friends' plan to rob a pharmacy for pills. Reluctantly agreeing to serve as their lookout, the robbery takes a disastrous turn when they face off with the pharmacist and his wife, resulting in a shooting that lands his friend Oscar in jail while Scott narrowly escapes.
Seeking to sabotage Margie and Ray's relationship, Scott meets Ray's ex-wife, Gina, who paints a damning picture of Ray as a gambling addict. This confrontation leads to a physical clash with Ray, resulting in Margie kicking both men out of her house. With no place to stay and his friends locked up, Scott attempts to manipulate his way into Kelsey's life, but when she discerns his motives, she rejects him. In desperation, he turns to Ray's firehouse, where he begins performing odd jobs in exchange for shelter. Here, he bonds with Ray and the firefighters, who share stories about his father that help Scott process his grief.
In a pivotal moment, while at the firehouse, Scott assists a wounded man, which draws Ray's attention, showcasing Scott's emerging talent as an artist. Ray invites Scott to tattoo his back, marking a turning point in their relationship. Later on, Scott goes to the Staten Island Ferry to surprise Kelsey as she heads to take a civil service exam. In a heartfelt moment on the ferry, he finally confesses his love for her, culminating in a tender kiss, as she departs into the city, leaving Scott wrestling with his emotions and future uncertainties in Manhattan.
