The Kings of Summer

Joe, a high school junior, grapples with the emotional fallout of his mother's death. Living with his father Frank, their strained relationship reflects Joe's deep-seated 'daddy issues', impacting his daily life.

During a family game of Monopoly, old tensions resurface between Joe and Frank. Frustrated by the game, Joe storms off and calls the police, mistakenly claiming theft in a fit of anger.

Determined to escape his life's pressures, Joe heads to a party with his friends. There, he secretly pines for Kelly, whose unavailability adds to his frustrations.

On his way home with Biaggio, Joe gets lost in the woods, leading them to a stunning glade. This enchanting spot inspires Joe to dream of building a house away from home, seeking an escape from his problems.

Joe, Patrick, and Biaggio commit to building their hideout. The trio sketches blueprints, eagerly gathering materials from abandoned construction sites to create a space where they can escape their issues.

The boys begin living in their makeshift hideout in the woods, which causes concern in their neighborhood. Despite the police determining they left willingly, their families start to worry about their safety.

While embracing their newfound freedom, Joe, Biaggio, and Patrick attempt to sustain themselves through fishing and hunting. However, their inexperience leads to amusing mishaps as they navigate their new lifestyle.

Finding hunting unsuccessful, Joe and his friends hatch a plan to raid a supermarket for chickens instead. Their comical attempts highlight their struggle to adapt to their rugged lifestyle.

As their adventure continues, Joe begins to miss Kelly and invites her to visit. During the visit, he faces heartbreak when he sees Kelly growing closer to Patrick, creating tension among the boys.

Tensions between the friends escalate, culminating in a heated fight. In an act of frustration, Joe sabotages a game of Monopoly with Patrick, which signifies the unraveling of their friendship.

After an explosive argument with Kelly, she storms out, leading both Patrick and Biaggio to choose to go home. Joe is left alone, struggling for food and feeling utterly isolated.

Faced with starvation, Joe takes it upon himself to hunt for food and successfully catches a rabbit. However, with increasing media attention on their disappearance, Kelly feels compelled to inform Frank about Joe's situation.

Chaos ensues in the hideout when a snake intrudes, prompting a heroic Biaggio to leap into action to save his friends. In the ensuing struggle, Biaggio is bitten, heightening the urgency of the situation.

Kelly and Frank arrive just in time to rescue Joe from the snake and the turmoil it brings. Their intervention marks a pivotal moment of relief amidst the chaos, bringing Joe back to safety.

In the aftermath, Joe shares an emotional conversation with Kelly, who reveals her feelings for him. As he reconciles with Patrick, a subtle laugh signifies their return to friendship, restoring some normalcy in their lives.