In the modest setting of Oakland, California, we meet Nick Twisp, a gentle-natured teenager living with his mother, Estelle, and her partner, Jerry. Their routine life takes an unexpected turn when Jerry's dubious activities lead them to a trailer park in Clearlake, where Nick encounters Sheeni Saunders, a kindred spirit captivated by French culture and music. As they deepen their connection over their mutual interests, they embark on a romantic adventure that stirs jealousy in Sheeni’s boyfriend, Trent Preston. In a bid to solidify their bond, Nick gifts Sheeni a mischievous dog named Albert, inspired by the philosophical musings of Albert Camus. Unfortunately, Albert's antics soon lead to trouble, forcing Sheeni’s parents to send him away.
Before they separate, a determined Nick vows to convince his mother to evict him, allowing him to reunite with Sheeni. He adopts the bold alter ego of François Dillinger, a charming rebel who urges him to challenge the status quo. Tragedy strikes when Jerry suffers a heart attack, leaving both Estelle and Nick to grapple with their grief.
Empowered by François, Nick's behavior grows increasingly reckless—he's soon disrespecting his mother and her new boyfriend, police officer Lance Wescott. Propelled by his alter ego, Nick takes Jerry's cherished Lincoln for a reckless ride that ends in flames, triggering a series of dramatic events. Lance arranges to keep the incident under wraps in exchange for creating a false narrative about the car being stolen.
As Nick grapples with the aftermath, he becomes increasingly infatuated with Sheeni and spins an exaggerated yarn about explosive chaos in Berkeley to win her heart. However, his fib is overheard by Sheeni’s mother, who promptly decides to send her daughter away to a French boarding school in Santa Cruz, ensuring Nick will not see her again.
In his heartache, Nick forms an unlikely bond with Vijay Joshi as they make plans to visit Sheeni. Their clandestine mission leads them to her room but is interrupted by the arrival of Bernice, leaving them to make a hurried escape. Their adventure back to Oakland takes a turn for the worse when their borrowed car breaks down, necessitating a call for help from Nick's father’s idealistic neighbor, Mr. Ferguson. With Vijay impersonating an illegal immigrant, Nick spins a tale of liberation amid his own emotional turmoil.
Returning home brings more complications as Nick encounters Paul, Sheeni's older brother, who invites her back for Thanksgiving. Desperate to remain part of Sheeni's life, he writes letters to Bernice, persuading her to drug Sheeni’s drinks in hopes of expelling her from school. The fallout from his scheme leads to unexpected encounters with Lacey, Paul's companion, as he gets caught up in a psychedelic party scenario that escalates into chaos, culminating in a schism among the group.
Just as the complications simmer down, Lance’s withdrawal of support leaves Nick reeling. On Thanksgiving Day, the situation spirals when Trent bursts in to expose Nick's secret correspondence with Bernice, sending Nick into a hasty retreat. In a bid to escape, he steals his father's vehicle and takes a plunge into a nearby lake, masquerading in disguise as one of Sheeni's friends.
With his new identity, Nick successfully infiltrates Sheeni's home and confesses the lengths he went to—sabotaging Berkeley, damaging family property, and sedating her—due to the isolation they both feel. Moved by his vulnerability, Sheeni forgives Nick, leading to their romantic culmination.
However, their moment of intimacy is abruptly interrupted by Trent and the police. What follows is a chaotic confrontation between Nick and Trent as the authorities arrive to apprehend him. Before Nick is taken away, Sheeni assures him that his brief stay in juvenile detention will pale in comparison to their future together.
As the animated credits unfold, Nick finds himself in a cell, receiving counsel from François. Upon his release, he is met by Sheeni, and together they set off into the Parisian sunset, embarking on an adventure filled with the promise of redemption and connection.
