Thirteen

The movie opens with Tracy and Evee indulging in inhaling fumes from a can of hairspray. Their reckless behavior escalates as they slap each other until both end up bleeding, setting a dark tone for their friendship.

The narrative takes us four months back, introducing 13-year-old Tracy Freeland as a bright and kind honor student in Los Angeles. Despite her academic achievements, she faces emotional struggles, particularly relating to her family circumstances.

Tracy's mother, Melanie, is a recovering alcoholic who juggles supporting her two children while coping with her own issues. Tracy feels neglected as her mother becomes increasingly preoccupied with her boyfriend, leaving Tracy to navigate her feelings of depression alone.

After being mocked for her outdated clothing, Tracy persuades her mother to buy her trendy outfits, desperate to fit in. This change in appearance marks the beginning of her transformation as she seeks acceptance from her peers.

At school, Tracy receives a compliment from Evie Zamora, one of the most popular girls. Invited to go shopping, Tracy is initially excited but soon discovers that Evie's phone number was a prank, leaving her disheartened.

Determined to connect with Evie, Tracy shows up on Melrose Avenue and ends up witnessing Evie and Astrid shoplifting. In a moment of impulse, Tracy steals a wallet from a wealthy woman, impressing Evie and Astrid and quickly becoming part of their group.

Tracy, Evie, and Astrid embark on a shopping spree with the stolen money, solidifying their friendship. Evie introduces Tracy to a lifestyle filled with drugs and crime, leading Tracy down a self-destructive path.

Evie moves into Tracy's home, as her own legal guardian is supposedly abusive. This arrangement deepens Tracy’s bond with Evie but also exacerbates her psychological struggles, as Evie uncovers Tracy’s coping mechanism of self-harm.

As Tracy and Evie's friendship flourishes, Tracy starts shutting out her mother completely. Their reckless behavior intensifies, with the girls engaging in dangerous activities and experimenting with various substances together.

Concerned about her daughter's changing behavior, Melanie tries to separate Tracy from Evie. However, Evie convinces Melanie to let her stay, creating a toxic and unmanageable environment for Tracy.

Tensions rise as Brooke, Evie's guardian, discovers the truth about Tracy's drug use. She wrongly blames Tracy for influencing Evie, leading to a blistering confrontation where lasting scars from Tracy's history are unveiled.

Feeling isolated, Tracy battles with the reality of her lifestyle and its impacts on her life. Evie turns Tracy's friends against her, provoking feelings of despair as Tracy contemplates the risks of continuing on this path.

After intense arguments, Tracy finds solace in her mother’s arms, revealing her deep-seated struggles. Despite the tension, their bond momentarily strengthens, as they confront the pain of their situation together.

In a poignant finale, Tracy experiences a dream sequence where she spins alone on a park merry-go-round, symbolizing her yearning for childhood innocence. This imagery encapsulates her longing to escape the dark realities of her life.