Along for the Ride 2022

Eighteen-year-old Auden West is eager to embrace a carefree summer before heading off to college, so she relocates to the small beachside town of Colby to stay with her father, Robert. Coming from a family of academics and recognized as an exemplary student, Auden’s desire to connect with her father is met with resistance from her mother, Victoria, who disapproves of the time Auden wants to spend with an estranged parent. Robert, having been mostly absent and consumed by his work in his office, now has a new life that includes his infant daughter, Thisbe, with his new wife, Heidi.

On her first day in Colby, prompted by Heidi, Auden decides to visit a local hangout known as “the Tip.” In a moment of impulsiveness, she kisses a boy but quickly regrets it. The following day, Heidi takes Auden to her shop, assigning her to handle receipts, where she meets three other girls: Leah, Esther, and Maggie. Initially, Maggie is cold towards Auden since she happens to be the ex-girlfriend of the boy Auden kissed.

Auden has always felt like a bit of a loner and finds solace in the quiet of night. After ten days in town, she crosses paths with Eli Stock, a fellow insomniac and BMX biker, and he invites her on nightly escapades. He encourages her to embark on a journey to experience all the childhood joys she’s missed. Their first adventure leads them to a hidden pie shop, where they play Connect Four, followed by a mini-golf date during which Auden reveals her regrets about missing prom and wearing her beautiful dress.

Trouble arises when Auden’s mother, Victoria, makes an unexpected visit, expressing her disapproval of Auden bonding with Heidi. Yet, through the course of the summer, Auden begins to mesh with the girls at the shop and gets invited to watch Maggie’s BMX biking as well as a party at the Conch House. However, during a gathering, Auden learns about a tragedy in Eli’s past: his best friend and BMX partner, Abe, passed away in an accident while Eli was driving, a loss that has left Eli emotionally closed off.

While at a drive-in movie showing of The Princess Bride, Auden shares the origins of her night-owl tendencies with Eli, which she attributes to her childhood attempts to shield her parents from conflict. Yet, the conversation remains superficial as Eli avoids delving into his feelings. One wild night, as they break into a lighthouse, Eli proposes that Auden should learn to ride a bike again. However, that same night takes a surprising turn during a shopping cart ride when an accidental spill causes Eli to panic, revealing deeper emotional struggles.

Eager to connect, Auden invites Eli to the annual Fourth of July “Hot Dog Party,” but he initially declines due to his aversion to crowds. To everyone’s astonishment, he eventually shows up, leading to a chaotic food fight and a heartfelt moment of intimacy during a night swim, where they share their first kiss beneath a dazzling display of fireworks.

In the midst of this newfound joy, Auden witnesses her father in distress outside a café, revealing his decision to temporarily leave home due to conflicts with Heidi. Disheartened by his lack of commitment, Auden confronts him, urging him to face challenges head-on rather than fleeing. A turning point arises when Auden reaches out to her mother for support, who stands by Heidi’s stance, demonstrating that it’s vital to seek healthier boundaries. This encourages Robert to reconsider his prior behavior, leading him to take responsibility for his family, including stepping up for Thisbe.

As romance blooms, Auden and Eli face a bump in their relationship when she refuses to admit her inability to ride a bike, climaxing in an argument where Auden lashes out, attributing Eli’s retreat from biking to Abe’s death. Following an insightful conversation with Heidi, Auden seeks out Maggie to teach her to ride, slowly overcoming her fear. Meanwhile, Eli reignites his passion for BMX, vying in a local skate park competition. After a triumphant victory, he passionately shares his renewed love for biking with Auden, affirming that he cannot abandon what he loves.

The following day brings a magical day to life when Eli shows up in a tux, prompting Auden to don her prom dress. They bike to the beach, accompanied by friends also dressed for the occasion, culminating in an unforgettable impromptu prom party that ignites a second kiss between the two.

In a bittersweet closure, we find Auden in Barcelona for college, reading a postcard from Eli while sharing a moment with her new roommate, Maggie, as they head out for lunch, signaling the start of a new chapter ahead.