When You Finish Saving the World

Seventeen-year-old Ziggy Katz is an aspiring folk-rock musician with a loyal online fan base. He often performs original songs, captivating his audience with his authenticity and creativity, much to the fascination of his formal mother, Evelyn.

Evelyn, who runs a shelter for survivors of domestic abuse, feels increasingly disconnected from Ziggy. She attempts to bridge the gap by encouraging him to volunteer at the shelter, but Ziggy dismisses her suggestions, prioritizing his live-streaming career instead.

Eager to impress his crush Lila, Ziggy attends a local political arts festival after school. There, Lila shares her passionate poem about the colonization of the Marshall Islands, which deeply inspires Ziggy and sets him on a path to use his music for more meaningful causes.

At the shelter, Evelyn meets Kyle, a teenager who has recently sought refuge after calling the police to help his abusive mother. Moved by his character, she invites him to volunteer, while planning a scholarship opportunity for him, despite his hesitations about college.

Ziggy's father, Roger, expresses his frustration over missing Ziggy's award ceremony at work. He confronts both Ziggy and Evelyn, labeling them narcissists, which adds more strain to their already turbulent relationship.

The following morning, Ziggy seeks his mother's advice on becoming more politically engaged to impress Lila. Evelyn scoffs at his desire, pointing out to him that he doesn't genuinely care about significant issues, further escalating their conflicts.

As Evelyn continues to volunteer with Kyle, they develop a close bond. She takes him on various tasks around the city, and her nurturing demeanor towards him highlights the gap between her relationship with Ziggy and the one she has with Kyle.

Inspired by Lila's poem, Ziggy sets her words to music and performs it for her. This moment marks a significant connection between them and represents Ziggy’s attempt to blend his art with activism, despite his earlier self-centered motivations.

One evening, Ziggy neglects dinner to focus on his live-streaming activity. Unbeknownst to him, Evelyn secretly takes his uneaten meal to Kyle at the shelter, who refuses it, illustrating the contrasts in their lives despite their proximity.

Kyle's mother confronts Evelyn, urging her to stop pressuring Kyle toward a college education that he isn't interested in. This confrontation reveals the underlying tensions in Evelyn's drive to guide both boys in their respective futures.

Proudly, Ziggy shares with Lila that he performed her song on his stream and believes he raised awareness about the issue. However, Lila is disheartened by his casual approach to activism, demonstrating her deeper commitment compared to Ziggy’s motivations.

Later, Ziggy visits the shelter, while Evelyn watches his old performance videos. In a surprising twist, she spots Ziggy nearby, and for the first time, they engage face-to-face, leading to an expected confrontation that has been simmering throughout the film.