Trapped in a Purple Haze

In the bustling streets of Chicago, a young college student navigates the tightrope between two seemingly opposite worlds. Max Hanson splits his time between the fluorescent lights of an art studio, where his sketches reveal a quiet, introspective talent, and the icy expanse of a local hockey rink, where his speed and aggression make him a standout on the ice. The contrast between brushstroke and slapshot fuels an inner conflict that hovers over every decision he makes, setting the tone for a story that sways between the lyrical and the kinetic.

At home, the pressure thickens. Sophie Hanson, Max’s mother, has sacrificed her own aspirations to secure a coveted position at a gallery, and she quietly hopes her son will follow the canvas rather than the rink. In contrast, Ed Hanson, his father, offers a more relaxed perspective, simply urging Max to find happiness wherever it lies. Their younger sister, Chloe Hanson, drifts in the background, a reminder of the family’s fragile equilibrium and the unspoken expectations that bind them together.

Max’s days unfold amid the hum of a neighborhood video store, where his close friends Orin Krieg and Kate Coppola provide a grounding presence. One evening a new customer catches his eye—a striking girl named Molly White—who instantly sparks both curiosity and intrigue. Their connection quickly deepens, drawing Max into a whirlwind romance that feels both exhilarating and unsettling. Molly’s hidden battle with drug use begins to surface, casting a shadow over the budding relationship and heightening the tension between Max’s artistic dreams, athletic ambitions, and the yearning for love that feels as intoxicating as it is dangerous.

The film paints a raw, empathetic portrait of a young man caught in the crossfire of parental expectations, the allure of a passionate but precarious love, and the looming threat of self‑destruction. Its tone shifts from hopeful to uneasy, inviting the audience to linger on the delicate line between ambition and addiction, and to wonder how far Max will go before the world he’s built begins to crumble.

Last Updated: October 27, 2025 at 16:27