Youth in Revolt

In Oakland, California, we meet Nick Twisp, a gentle teenager living with his mother Estelle and her partner Jerry. Their lives are marked by simplicity until an unexpected twist sets them on a different path.

Due to Jerry's dubious activities, the family finds themselves at a trailer park in Clearlake. Here, Nick meets Sheeni Saunders, a vibrant girl with a passion for French culture, sparking a connection between them.

To strengthen their bond, Nick gifts Sheeni a mischievous dog named Albert, inspired by the philosopher Albert Camus. Unfortunately, Albert's antics lead to trouble, forcing Sheeni's parents to send him away.

Before their separation, Nick pledges to convince his mother to let him stay, all in hopes of being with Sheeni. He adopts the persona of François Dillinger, a charismatic rebel who emboldens him to resist authority.

Nick's life takes a drastic turn when Jerry suffers a heart attack, leaving both Estelle and Nick engulfed in grief. This tragedy fuels Nick's reckless behavior as he grapples with his feelings.

Under François's influence, Nick becomes increasingly disrespectful towards his mother and her boyfriend Lance Wescott. He takes Jerry's cherished Lincoln for a reckless ride that ultimately ends in flames.

In the aftermath of the car incident, Lance manages to keep it under wraps by creating a false narrative about the Lincoln being stolen. This deception leads to further complications in Nick's life.

Desperate to win Sheeni's heart, Nick fabricates a wild story about explosive events in Berkeley. However, Sheeni's mother overhears the tale and decides to send her daughter to a French boarding school in Santa Cruz.

In his sorrow, Nick teams up with Vijay Joshi, planning a covert mission to visit Sheeni. Their attempts to sneak into her room are thwarted by the unexpected arrival of Bernice, leading to a hasty escape.

On their way back to Oakland, Nick and Vijay's borrowed car breaks down, forcing them to call for help from Nick's father's neighbor, Mr. Ferguson. Vijay impersonates an illegal immigrant, adding a layer of absurdity to their situation.

Nick encounters Paul, Sheeni's older brother, and learns that Sheeni is invited back for Thanksgiving. Eager to stay close to Sheeni, Nick begins writing letters to Bernice to further his cause.

In his desperation, Nick's plan goes awry when he persuades Bernice to drug Sheeni’s drinks. This leads to chaotic encounters, and he finds himself caught in a psychedelic party that spirals out of control.

On Thanksgiving Day, the situation peaks when Trent exposes Nick's secret correspondence with Bernice to everyone, inciting panic in Nick. To escape the heaps of trouble, Nick steals his father's vehicle and jumps into a nearby lake.

Disguised as one of Sheeni's friends, Nick manages to infiltrate her home and confesses the lengths he went to for her affection, including sabotaging her life. Sheeni, moved by his honesty, forgives him despite the chaos.

Their moment of intimacy ends abruptly when Trent and the police arrive for a chaotic confrontation. Just before Nick is taken away, Sheeni assures him that their future together will be worth his brief detention.

As the movie concludes, Nick finds himself in juvenile detention, seeking counsel from his alter ego François. Upon his release, he reunites with Sheeni, and the two embark on a hopeful journey into the Parisian sunset.