Set in the quirky town of Wiggly, Georgia, during 1977, Troop Zero tells the heartfelt story of a young girl named Christmas Flint, portrayed by [Mckenna Grace](slug: mckenna-grace). She spends her days gazing up at the stars from her trailer deck, fervently signaling to what she believes are aliens—hoping to connect with creatures beyond Earth. Christmas is an imaginative and determined child, who is still mourning the loss of her mother, which leaves her feeling alone in her small community. She openly shares her feelings and dreams, weaving space analogies into her everyday conversations to explain the people around her, including her father, Ramsey Flint, played by [Jim Gaffigan](slug: jim-gaffigan), a well-meaning lawyer who always tries to keep things simple.
Miss Rayleen, played by [Viola Davis](slug: viola-davis), works as Ramsey’s assistant in their trailer, having sacrificed her own dreams of becoming a lawyer to support her family and work in the shadows. She spends her evenings watching court shows, still harboring a passion for law that she keeps hidden. Despite her tough exterior, she forms a bond with Christmas, who sees her as a kindred spirit and hopes she will become their troop’s guiding figure.
One ordinary day, Christmas visits her friend Joseph, an effeminate boy who faces pressure from his father to excel in sports, despite his desires. Together, they share tender moments, like singing "Say a Little Prayer for You" while being teased by other children. Christmas’s encounters with bullies — including Hell-No Price and Smash — are frequent and serve as a reminder of her outsider status. These bullies often steal lunches, push others around, and mock Christmas for her uniqueness, even going so far as to shove her into a locker with her pigtail cut off, fueling her resilience.
Christmas’s fascination with space continues to define her in her interactions and aspirations. She believes her mother is up among the stars, and she boldly signals into the night sky, determined to be heard. She even convinces Joseph to help her cut her hair, symbolically shedding her insecurities. Her desire is to be part of something bigger, and she becomes determined to join the Birdie Scouts, a local troop that aims to win a national talent show at the Jamboree.
The Scout leaders, including Principal Massey played by [Allison Janney](slug: allison-janney), emphasize winning the trophy and promote the idea that their voices could be transmitted into space, potentially reaching aliens. Christmas, in her spirited way, hopes that participating will bring her closer to her mother and let her dreams take flight. When she attempts to join the troop, she faces rejection from Piper Keller and the troop’s leader, who dismiss her and demean her hopes. Nonetheless, Christmas’s persistence remains unbroken.
She manages to rally her friends — outcast girls like Anne-Claire, who prays for guidance, and others inspired by her unwavering hope — to form their own troop, aptly named Troop Zero. Led by Christmas and her vision of connecting with extraterrestrial life, they receive a raw but heartfelt initial support from Principal Massey, who grants them the only troop number available: zero. Despite limited resources and a rocky start, they learn essential skills, earn badges, and grow together, each overcoming their own fears and doubts.
During their journey, Rayleen steps in to support them, despite her reservations about her past and her uncertain future. She allows Christmas to ask her to be their troop mother, but her own fears of heartbreak surface. When she considers returning to law school, Christmas feels abandoned, leading to a poignant moment where they fall into the woods and share genuine laughter amidst tears. Ultimately, Ramsey [Jim Gaffigan](slug: jim-gaffigan) volunteers to become their troop’s leader, emphasizing that compassion and community matter more than rules. The town’s residents rally behind them, pooling their resources to fund the trip to the Jamboree with a hopeful spirit.
As the big day approaches, the troop boards an old bus, filled with excitement and nervous anticipation. Upon arriving at the event in Georgia, they face the daunting reality of the competition, which features more polished and confident groups, including the reigning champions from Wiggly. Despite setbacks and the inevitable stage fright, Christmas and her troop prepare to perform their rendition of "Space Oddity," with Joseph dressed as David Bowie and the girls dressed as planets and stars. Christmas, donning a handmade rocket helmet, performs with raw emotion, singing a cappella after the music momentarily stops, allowing her vulnerable truth to shine through.
The performance is a chaotic, joyful display of courage and authenticity, culminating in the girls collectively peeing their pants — a humorous and sincere message about fear, bravery, and being true to oneself. The judges acknowledge their effort, and although they don’t win the top prize, the girls record their voices for NASA’s Golden Record, hoping their message and dreams reach the stars. Principal Massey, inspired by their genuine spirit, promises her support and hopes she’ll succeed in law school, while Ramsey assures Christmas that her future is only just beginning.
The story closes with a magical night of stars, as Rayleen, Ramsey, and Christmas watch a meteor shower and share their dreams, speaking into the night sky with the simple hope of being heard. Christmas, with her characteristic innocence, wishes for her mother’s safety and their connection beyond the stars. Starman by David Bowie plays over the credits, capturing the movie’s themes of hope, perseverance, and dreams that transcend space and time.
Troop Zero is a tender celebration of friendship, resilience, and the power of believing in oneself — a reminder that sometimes, it’s the misfits and dreamers who teach us the most about courage and love.
