After a difficult separation from his wife, Danny Meyerowitz, portrayed by Adam Sandler, finds himself relocating to his father Harold's house. Harold, a retired Bard College professor and artist, is joined by his fourth wife, Maureen—a whimsical and somewhat overcast hippie played by Emma Thompson. Danny's familial ties deepen as he reconnects with his sister Jean, who is navigating her own complexities, and his younger half-brother Matthew, who has risen to prominence as a successful financial consultant for musicians in Los Angeles. One of the bright spots in Danny's tumultuous life is his daughter Eliza—a budding film student portrayed by Grace Van Patten—who is eager to share her artistic endeavors with her somewhat reserved family, even showcasing a provocative film that stirs mixed reactions among their clan, despite everyone pretending to be unfazed.
Amidst the backdrop of Harold's artwork being featured at a faculty group exhibition at Bard, Harold holds a stubborn conviction against participating in what he deems a lesser showcase. A pivotal moment unfolds when Danny and Harold attend a retrospective at MoMA for L.J. Shapiro, a fellow artist who has enjoyed considerable success. The atmosphere proves uncomfortable for both, as Harold grapples with feelings of being overshadowed by the art scene, leading him to flee the event emotionally. Danny's past intertwines with the present as he encounters Loretta, Shapiro's daughter and his childhood friend, but their reunion is cut short when he must pursue his distressed father.
Meanwhile, Matthew, played by a still-unnamed actor, arrives in New York for business and meets with Harold to discuss potential financial arrangements regarding Harold's beloved Manhattan townhouse, which is becoming increasingly burdensome to maintain. Tensions rise as Matthew and Harold clash over the necessity of selling the family home, with Harold asserting that the decision to part with it should remain strictly within the family, which only deepens the rift between them. Their lunch is marred by Harold’s disdain for another diner, provoking a somewhat humorous yet bonding moment as he gets Matthew to chase after the patron he mistakenly accuses of swapping jackets.
The situation escalates when they visit Julia, Harold's second wife, who candidly expresses remorse for her past as a mother. This visit heightens the tension; both Danny and Jean feel uncomfortable with Julia's straightforwardness. With Matthew harboring resentment over Harold's devotion to art at the expense of financial stability, their familial relationships continue to fray. The narrative takes a darker turn when Harold is diagnosed with a chronic subdural hematoma, leading him into the hospital where his children grapple with his care management, transitioning from reliance on Harold's medical team to self-sufficiency.
A shocking revelation arises as Jean discloses a traumatic incident involving a family friend, which ignites Matthew and Danny's protective instincts—leading them to plot revenge against the elderly man, only to reconsider when they realize the gravity of his helpless situation. Instead, they vandalize his car, much to Jean's disappointment, who sought their compassion rather than destructive acts.
A chaotic moment of levity occurs at Bard during a faculty show where Danny and Matthew, amid their struggles, engage in a bizarre altercation, ultimately culminating in emotional breakdowns and drug-fueled remarks that reveal their inner turmoil. As Harold recuperates at Maureen's rural residence, a poignant realization strikes both him and Matthew: Harold's long-cherished sculpture entitled "Matthew" has deep-rooted implications tied to his complicated relationship with Danny, suggesting layers of affection intertwined with resentment.
Safeguarding old grievances, Danny stubbornly declines to tend to Harold while Maureen is away. However, with a heartwarming shift in dynamics, he agrees to join Matthew on a trip to California but learns to forgive his father for his past shortcomings. On this journey, Danny accidentally crosses paths with Loretta, who now finds herself single, leading to plans for attending Eliza's film screening together. In a stirring climax, Eliza makes a groundbreaking discovery beneath the foundation of The Whitney, unearthing her grandfather's sculpture, believed to have been lost, bridging the fragmented pieces of their family legacy.
