Julie, played by Honor Swinton Byrne, is a bright young film student navigating her privileged life in London. With aspirations to create a meaningful film about a young boy and his mother living in Sunderland, she struggles to convey her vision to her professors. Her days are filled with attending classes and socializing with friends from film school, and when her roommate departs, she finds herself relishing the solitude of her spacious apartment.
Amidst her artistic endeavors, she crosses paths with Anthony, portrayed by Tom Burke, an older government worker. They share tea, but Anthony soon departs for work. Upon his return, he asks to stay with her, leading to them spending abundant time together, culminating in a romantic relationship. Despite noticing bruises on Anthony's arms—which he dismisses as trivial—they grow closer, prompting Julie to invest less in her studies and friendships.
Their families' backgrounds starkly contrast when they meet: Anthony's working-class roots clash with the upper-crust lifestyle of Julie's parents, Rosalind and William, resulting in heated political discussions. As their relationship develops, the financial requests from Anthony escalate, with Julie covering for him by borrowing money from her mother under the guise of needing it for school equipment.
The dynamics shift further when they invite Anthony’s friends over, including the pretentious Patrick, who points out the unsettling difference in the couple's lifestyles, asserting that Anthony's heroin use starkly contrasts Julie's innocence. Confused and upset, Julie continues her life with Anthony, undeterred by the inconvenient truths unraveling around her.
Disappointment strikes when Julie returns to discover their apartment has been robbed, leaving her heartbroken over the loss of cherished belongings. An unexpected trip to Italy with Richard brings some excitement but also serves as a reality check about her relationship. Julie confronts Anthony about her stolen possessions, feeling betrayed, yet he deftly shifts the narrative, leaving her feeling guilty and apologetic instead.
Even as Anthony manipulates her trust, he continues to borrow money, and she remains oblivious to the growing dangers of their situation. It escalates when Anthony fails to return one night, and Julie finds evidence of his drug use in their apartment. When she confronts him about the situation, anger mightily boils over, forcing her to kick him out.
With Anthony gone, Julie rekindles her film studies and reconnects with friends excited to have her back in their lives. Anthony’s mother seeks information about him, but Julie feels no obligation to update her. Just when she seems to reclaim her life, a letter from Anthony draws her in again as she meets him for tea, slipping back into their previous connection, leading him to move back in.
Life seems amicable until the shadows return, and one day, Julie witnesses Anthony in a fit of violence, reminding her of the dark reality they inhabit. Meanwhile, Rosalind, now residing with Julie for her own schooling, remains unaware of the underlying turbulence. Tragedy strikes when, after another absence from Anthony, Rosalind answers a call to learn of his overdose and subsequent death.
Devastated and in a state of shock, Julie finds herself adrift. Returning to film school, she wrestles with the loss and emerges transformed, no longer the naive girl she once was. As she gazes outside, she looks directly into the camera, her demeanor now stoic and hardened, a marked evolution from her earlier self.
