The Line

Tom returns to campus for his sophomore year, eager to reunite with the fraternity. He notices Mitch's brash influence and meets Gettys O'Brien among the incoming freshmen, who immediately clashes with Mitch. The dynamic sets up the tensions that will drive the semester.

Gettys and Mitch already clash, with Todd leaning toward accepting Gettys into the frat while Mitch opposes him. The Dean warns about student conduct violations and hazing, forbidding off-campus retreats. The warning foreshadows the control struggles within the fraternity this term.

Tom notices Annabelle in class and begins to approach her despite his friends' mockery. They start a casual relationship as Tom navigates the social risk of dating someone outside the frat.

The Dean of Student Affairs meets with Todd and Tom, delivering a stern warning about hazing and off-campus activities. He imposes strict limits and threatens consequences for violations. This warning sets the tone for the frat's attempts to disguise any further hazing.

Mitch plots a weekend retreat at his family's lake house, intent on reasserting control over the group. Todd cannot attend and leaves Tom in charge, insisting the hazing stay out of sight. Tom's sense of unease grows as he assumes responsibility for the pledge process.

Late night at the frat garage, the sophomores decide to haze the pledges to prove their dominance. Gettys alone rejects the hazing rituals, but the others push on, escalating the intimidation.

A fight erupts as the group pressures Gettys; Mitch strikes him to the ground, and Gettys dies. The room falls silent and Tom suggests calling 911, but the others resist and shift blame.

The sophomores hatch a plan to dispose of Gettys' body, loading the freshmen onto a pontoon boat with bags over their heads. They dump Gettys into the lake and stage it as an accident.

Authorities are unable to locate Gettys' body as the investigation begins. Tom is questioned by police but withholds information, trying to protect his friends and himself.

Tom eventually confesses to Annabelle that Gettys was dead before they boarded the boat, choosing to trust her with the truth. She rebuffs him, leaving him devastated and alone with the burden.

All the sophomores involved are expelled, including Tom, as the truth comes to light. The fraternity's increasingly tainted reputation collapses, and the surviving members must confront the consequences of their actions.

Two years later, Tom is doing well at a community college and working as a bartender in his hometown. Mitch appears at his bar to reconnect, but Tom politely refuses, recognizing that Mitch has still not changed.

Tom shares pasta with his mother, appreciating her support as a news report airs about a pledge death. The report notes that hazing deaths have occurred roughly every year since 1969, underscoring the enduring cost of what happened.