Justin Cobb, portrayed by Lou Taylor Pucci, is a reserved 17-year-old navigating life in a typical middle-class family in suburban Oregon. He grapples with a persistent thumb-sucking habit that provokes disapproval from his father, Mike, played by Vincent D'Onofrio. To maintain a sense of youth for his dad, Justin opts to address his parents by their first names, Mike and Audrey. They lead an ordinary life, with Mike managing a sports retail store and Audrey, a registered nurse, indulging in an innocent yet obsessive infatuation with actor Matt Schramm (Benjamin Bratt) as she enters a contest for a date with him in New York. Her need to present herself as appealing is both comedic and poignant as she juggles this fantasy with her everyday responsibilities.
At school, Justin struggles on his debate team under the leadership of Mr. Geary (Vince Vaughn), who unflinchingly calls out Justin for his lack of preparation and research. This unpreparedness embarrasses Justin, especially as his motivation to join the team was to get closer to the environmentally conscious Rebecca (Kelli Garner), who flirts with him despite his challenges. Unbeknownst to him, his thumb-sucking serves as an emotional escapade, providing comfort amid his struggles.
During a routine dental check-up, orthodontist Perry Lyman (Keanu Reeves) emphasizes Justin's thumb-sucking and attempts unconventional methods like hypnosis to break the habit. Although he temporarily finds his thumb distasteful, the relief it provides is irreplaceable, heightening his frustration. Struggling with a lack of self-control, Justin conspires with his brother Joel (Chase Offerle) to disrupt Dr. Lyman's bicycle race, leading to disastrous consequences when the police intervene, leaving his parents to bail them out.
A significant turning point occurs when Justin's counselor suggests Ritalin, ensnaring his parents in an ethical quandary but igniting a spark of hope within Justin, who is desperate for help. Armed with newfound focus and energy, he flourishes on the debate team, eclipsing Rebecca's position and even bending school rules, much to Mr. Geary's bewilderment. However, this transformation comes at a cost; Justin's aggressive demeanor leads to a rift between him and Rebecca, who retreats to the stoner crowd.
As he integrates further into adulthood, Justin's confidence swells, leading him to believe that success in debates equates to control over his surroundings. Disillusionment strikes when he discovers that his mother's fascination with Schramm is more profound, with his mother planning a move to the same rehab facility Schramm frequents. Justin's attempts to distance himself from these family dynamics culminate in his acceptance to NYU, despite his mother’s apprehensive wishes for him to remain local.
The abstract pressure of competition and academic excellence clouds Justin's thoughts, resulting in a public fallout during the state debate finals where he recognizes that Ritalin isn’t a cure for his issues but rather a chemical stimulant. Realigning his understanding, he chooses to abandon both Rebecca and the pills in a quest for authenticity amidst teenage chaos.
In a surprising turn, he uncovers the reality of his mother's relationship with Schramm—she had saved him from an overdose, which becomes a grounding revelation amid their tangled relationships. In the end, Justin receives a heartening acceptance letter from NYU, set against the backdrop of his final confrontation with his thumb-sucking habit. Dr. Lyman reassures him that everyone possesses flaws and that embracing uncertainty could be crucial. As Justin boards a flight to New York, he envisions his dreams of being a TV anchor, sharing truth with the world, before sharing an innocent moment with a girl who smiles at him—an encounter that brings both embarrassment and budding self-assurance.
