After experiencing a physics exam where she has to retake it multiple times, the highly competitive college freshman, Alex Dall, is determined to join the prestigious Wellington College Novice Rowing Program. However, it isn’t long before her thoughts are consumed by the sport, particularly the emphasis on precision and form that rowing demands.
Her opponent in this athletic quest becomes Jamie Brill, another freshman who embraces rowing primarily to secure an athletic scholarship. Almost immediately, Jamie is recognized as the “best novice” on the team, much to Alex's chagrin. This only ignites Alex's obsessive drive further, pushing her to improve her rowing times, even as her academic performance begins to suffer. Soon enough, both girls are elevated to the varsity team, where Jamie adapts effortlessly to her new surroundings, while Alex struggles to find her footing, both socially and in her performance.
The struggles continue for Alex when she experiences a humiliating incident during a major race, known in rowing as “catching a crab,” which leads to her being returned to the novice team. Unfortunately, this causes a rift in her friendship with Jamie. During a pivotal joint practice, Alex suffers a breakdown and becomes the subject of mockery among her peers after a distressing incident. She is further discouraged when Erin, a varsity rower and trainer, informs her that her smaller stature casts doubt on her ability to excel on the team.
Despite the numerous setbacks, Alex is undeterred. She begins to practice vigorously on her own, but her commitment raises concerns for Coach Pete. He initially warns her about the dangers of her intense dedication but ends up providing her with a scull to practice on during winter break.
As she refines her technique over the break, Alex develops a relationship with her former graduate student instructor, Dani. Both she and Jamie are eager to compete for a coveted position in the "1V boat," which is reserved for the top performers on the team. Unfortunately, their hopes are dashed by Coaches Pete and Edwards, leaving Alex disheartened and struggling with her deteriorating health, which is worsened by an unhealed wound on her palm.
In the spring, the competition heats up as Alex faces off against Jamie to fill the spot of a 1V rower who has left the team due to injury. Overwhelmed by the feeling that the team is supporting Jamie, Alex falls into a dark place, resorting to self-harm. Her relationship with Dani ends when the latter grows tired of Alex's destructive behavior.
As the season draws to a close, a challenge is put in place to beat the 14-minute record held by rower Highsmith. What begins as a supposed friendly competition quickly turns tense when Alex publicly vows to break the record. On a stormy early morning, Alex and her teammates set out to race in individual boats. During the race, she collides with Highsmith’s boat and is thrown into the water but refuses to give up, climbing back on to continue rowing.
Despite the worsening storm, Alex pushes through, and the intensity crescendos as she finishes the race to a thunderous backdrop, leaving her teammates and coaches in stunned silence. In the end, Alex erases her name from the chalkboard in the training room, an ambiguous conclusion that leaves everyone wondering if she truly broke Highsmith's record.
