When Friendship Kills

Lexi and her mother Kathryn relocate from Chicago to Seattle with Lexi's younger sister Jill after their parents' divorce. The move puts Lexi into a new school and a new social circle. At her new school, Lexi meets Jennifer Harnsberger during volleyball tryouts, planting the seeds for what comes next.

During volleyball tryouts, Lexi meets Jennifer Harnsberger, a popular straight-A student who becomes a fast friend. The volleyball coach suggests that Lexi could improve by losing a few pounds, nudging her toward unhealthy dieting. The two girls begin forming a bond under the pressure of athletic ideals at school.

Lexi and Jennifer decide to diet and train together to boost performance and appearance. They share tips, swap meals, and push each other toward stricter eating habits. Their pact marks the start of a dangerous path toward disordered eating.

Jennifer opens up about her bulimia, and Lexi realizes she is not alone in her struggle. The two girls commit to dieting as a mutual coping mechanism and to support one another. The confession deepens their bond but deepens the eating-disorder cycle.

Kathryn begins to notice that Lexi is eating less and growing thinner, but she is preoccupied with the divorce and fails to recognize the problem right away. The parent's distraction allows Lexi's habits to go unchecked for longer. The concern grows as Lexi's health subtly declines.

Lexi and Jill travel to Chicago to visit their father and try to persuade him to reunite with Kathryn. Instead, they learn he is dating a new woman, Jolene, which complicates Lexi's sense of family and stability. The trip highlights the emotional drift caused by the divorce.

Kathryn grows concerned when Lexi hasn't had her period in over three months. She takes Lexi to a gynecologist, who notes that Lexi's weight is within a normal range. The doctor attributes the change to the trauma of the divorce, not to an eating disorder.

To avoid suspicion, Lexi secretly places eight bundles of coins on her body to create a heavier appearance during the doctor visit. The ruse masks the reality of her weight loss and further misleads family and doctors. This act underscores how far Lexi is willing to go to hide her condition.

The girls flirt with modeling ambitions, and photographer Nick McKay contacts the group. He is interested only in Jennifer, telling Lexi she isn't a suitable model. Lexi feels betrayed and doubles down on dieting to prove herself.

Lexi collapses during a volleyball match and is rushed to the hospital. She is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and enters a formal recovery program. The event becomes a turning point in her health and marks the transition from denial to treatment.

Lexi's parents argue about the best course of treatment, reflecting their differing approaches to her care. Despite the conflict, Lexi starts the recovery process and is eventually released from treatment. The home environment remains tense but hopeful.

Lexi confides to her mother that Jennifer also has an eating disorder, prompting Kathryn to inform Jennifer's mother. Jennifer's mother Pamela initially dismisses the possibility, which strains the girls' friendship and adds guilt to Lexi's experience. The moment highlights the broader impact of the disorder.

Lexi attempts to confront Jennifer at a party after a fallout, but Jennifer, who has been drinking, leaves in anger and is struck by a car, dying of cardiac arrest in the hospital shortly after. The tragedy deepens Lexi's guilt and pain. The absence of Jennifer marks a grim turn in the story.

Devastated by Jennifer's death, Lexi relapses into disordered eating. Her mother supports her, while her father secures a court order to hospitalize her. Lexi ultimately begins to recover on her own, sustained by family support and inner strength.

In the final scene, Lexi plays in a volleyball match and sees Jennifer's spirit smiling at her, along with her family and doctor. This vision reinforces her recovery as she wins the game. The ending emphasizes resilience and reconciliation for the family.