Adult World

Amy, a recent college graduate with poetic aspirations, finds herself torn between artistic pursuits and the practical demands of adulthood. Her parents, eager for her to secure a steady income, nudge her towards a job at Adult World, a small sex shop managed by the enigmatic Alex. As Amy navigates this new chapter in her life, she's forced to confront the harsh realities of adulthood, including the theft of her car and the disapproval of her parents when they discover she'd sacrificed financial security for artistic expression.

Seeking solace, Amy moves in with Rubia, a trans woman and coworker at Adult World. It's here that she meets Rat Billings, her literary idol, who becomes a mentor and confidant. As their relationship evolves, Amy finds herself torn between her admiration for Billings' work and her own desires to be recognized as a writer in her own right.

As Amy struggles to find her footing, she's fired from Adult World after failing to apprehend a shoplifter. Feeling belittled and humiliated, she lashes out at Alex, only to later realize the error of her ways and apologize for her behavior. This newfound humility leads to a deeper connection with Alex, and they begin dating.

However, Amy's journey is marked by moments of self-doubt and introspection. A catastrophic failure in her relationship with Billings, who features her work in an anthology he's compiling, sends her into a tailspin. Feeling embarrassed and deflated, she attempts to take her own life but ultimately finds the strength to reconsider.

In the aftermath, Amy finds herself at a crossroads, forced to reevaluate her priorities and aspirations. With Alex's encouragement, she continues writing, submitting prose to an erotica magazine as a joke that unexpectedly yields positive results. As she navigates this new chapter in her life, she begins to find her voice and her place in the world.

The film concludes with Amy reading Billings' anthology, Shit Poems: An Anthology of Bad Verse, with a newfound sense of acceptance and self-awareness. In the epilogue, we see that Amy has gone on to become a celebrated poet, proudly displaying her first book on the shelves of a bookstore for all to see.