Young Ones

The movie is set in a post-drought USA, a place where residents desperately struggle for water. This dire situation leads to a break down in community and increases tension among those who remain.

Ernest Holm chooses to remain in his small house with his children, Jerome and Mary, amidst the exodus of the community. He holds on to the hope that the land will eventually thrive again with proper irrigation.

To sustain his family, Ernest engages in trade with the 'water people', who are known for extracting water from deep wells. This arrangement helps him gather necessary supplies in a harsh environment.

The tragic incident occurs when Ernest's mule breaks its legs, forcing him to euthanize it. This sets a chain of events into motion as he seeks to replace the loss and support his family.

Ernest participates in an auction to buy a robotic carrier machine, outbidding Flem, who has been courting Mary. This purchase symbolizes both hope and impending conflict as Flem feels slighted.

One morning, Ernest discovers that his newly acquired robotic machine has gone missing. In desperation, he confronts the water people, only to be wrongfully accused of theft, leading to a violent altercation.

After being accused by the leader of the water people, Caleb, Ernest stands his ground, resulting in a fierce fight. He emerges victorious and claims Caleb's knife as a trophy, marking his defiance.

Ernest tracks down the robotic machine only to find Flem using it for smuggling water. This confrontation escalates quickly and results in a tragic outcome with Flem resorting to violence against Ernest.

After Ernest's death from Flem's violent act, he is buried, but the robotic machine mysteriously goes missing. This strange occurrence sets the stage for further revelations about the events leading to this tragedy.

In the wake of the tragedy, Flem marries Mary after he assists in constructing an irrigation system. This union seems to secure their farming future, but it also complicates existing tensions.

The damaged robotic machine, lost and wandering, has a default command directing it towards a nearby store. Jerome learns about the machine’s whereabouts from the store owner, setting off a critical investigation.

Curious about his father's fate, Jerome discovers that the robotic machine’s laser sensor can record video. Watching the recordings leads him to uncover shocking truths about Flem and how his father died.

Fueled by anger after watching the recording, Jerome confronts Flem about the death of his father. Despite feeling the urge to act, Jerome chooses to gather more information instead of retaliating immediately.

During a supply run, Flem meets with an accident, falling into a pit and breaking his legs. This incident puts him at the mercy of Jerome, who has been secretly following him.

As Flem pleads for mercy from the pit, Jerome is faced with a moral dilemma. Ultimately, he chooses to end Flem's life, while opting to keep the truth about Ernest hidden, aiming to protect Mary from the painful reality.