Babyteeth

As the cinematic narrative unfolds, we are introduced to Milla Finlay (Eliza Scanlen), a teenager standing alone on the train platform, her thoughts consumed by the weight of her impending fate. The arrival of Moses (Toby Wallace), a slightly older youth with a troubled past, serves as a catalyst for their serendipitous encounter. As they converse, Milla's nose begins to bleed profusely, and Moses responds with kindness, offering his shirt to stem the bleeding. In exchange, he requests shelter from the storm, having been recently expelled from his home. With a mixture of compassion and determination, Milla offers him fifty dollars and asks for a unique favor - she requires his assistance in shaving her head as a symbolic act of defiance against her terminal illness, which is soon to be treated with chemo.

As Moses brings Milla to his humble abode to fulfill her request, the introduction of his mother and younger brother Isaac (Zack Grech) creates tension. Despite Moses' efforts to communicate with them, his mother's icy demeanor prompts him and Milla to make a hasty exit, their bond strengthened by this shared experience.

Meanwhile, Milla's parents, Henry (Ben Mendelsohn), a therapist, and Anna (Essie Davis), who copes with her daughter's illness through prescription medication, attempt to rekindle their romance after a therapy session. Their efforts are thwarted by the impending duty of collecting Milla from the hospital.

Milla's decision to invite Moses into her life leads to a series of awkward encounters. Anna's discomfort with Moses' 23 years and Milla's youth is palpable, while his obvious struggles with drug use further complicate matters. As Anna's Xanax and Zoloft-induced haze clears, she becomes increasingly erratic, embarrassing both herself and Milla.

As Milla navigates the treacherous waters of adolescence, her world remains relatively unchanged. She continues to attend violin lessons with tutor Gidon (Eugene Gilfedder), accompanied by Tin Wah (Edward Lau), a neighborhood boy who shares her passion for music. In stark contrast, Henry's attempts to connect with his community are marked by a humorous exchange with Toby (Emily Barclay), a pregnant neighbor whose dog also bears the name Henry. This lighthearted moment serves as a poignant reminder of the beauty that can be found in the everyday, even amidst the turmoil and uncertainty that defines Milla's life.

As the moon dips below the horizon, Moses seizes the opportunity to slip into the Finlay residence in search of sustenance and other necessities. However, his nocturnal foraging is abruptly interrupted when Anna (still adjusting to her newfound role as a guardian) catches him red-handed. The tension is palpable, but Henry and Milla's sudden arrival serves as a timely distraction, allowing Anna to regain control of the situation. Milla, ever the peacemaker, proposes an olive branch: why not join them for breakfast? Moses agrees, and the trio engages in a pleasant repartee over eggs and toast before Milla departs for school, flaunting her new hairpiece - a stylish wig that earns Moses' enthusiastic approval.

Meanwhile, Henry's chance encounter with Toby sets off a chain of events. When asked to assist with a light fixture replacement, he agrees but is promptly sent tumbling from the stool, leaving him shaken but unscathed. The morning wears on, and Milla finds herself facing another unexpected request: a friend asks to try on her new wig, a proposition she begrudgingly accepts despite her initial reservations.

Later that day, Moses pays a visit to Milla at her home, much to Anna's dismay. By the poolside, Milla puts aside her concerns and invites Moses to join her for a leisurely swim. As they lounge together, she extends an invitation to the upcoming formal, which he graciously accepts. However, their moment of connection is short-lived, as Milla's anxiety begins to simmer just below the surface.

Milla's distress manifests in a sudden onset of queasiness, prompting her to turn to Anna for solace - and a stash of medication. But Moses beats her to it, having pilfered the pills earlier. The consequences are swift: Anna orders him to leave, leaving Milla feeling vulnerable and uncertain about their friendship. Despite these doubts, she later finds herself drawn to Moses' basketball game with his friends, joining in as he heads off to work at the local pharmacy.

As the night wears on, Moses takes Milla (Milla) under his wing, escorting her to a soiree hosted by his brother, where the atmosphere is electric. The two share a whirlwind dance, their bodies moving in perfect harmony as they lose themselves in the music. However, the evening's tranquility is shattered when another acquaintance of Moses' appears on the scene, planting a kiss on him that sends Milla reeling with disappointment. Deflated and disheartened, she slips away from the party, only to be drawn to a mysterious woman who stands eerily close, their gazes fixated on the twinkling lights above.

As Milla drifts through the gathering, her feet moving in time with the music, she encounters a string of unfamiliar faces. Moses eventually tracks her down and ushers her outside, where the fresh air proves too much for her fragile state. She succumbs to nausea, prompting Moses to declare his intention to notify her parents, but Milla begs him to reconsider, her voice trembling with emotion. As the night wears on, they find themselves in a secluded spot, lost in each other's eyes as they sway to the rhythm of their own beat.

Meanwhile, Henry and Anna embark on a quest to locate Milla, whose phone remains perpetually silent. Their search ultimately proves futile, and it is not until Milla awakens alone on the rooftop the next morning that her whereabouts are revealed. The consequences of her nocturnal escapade become clear as she makes her way to the hospital, her future hanging precariously in the balance.

As the drama unfolds, Henry and Anna engage in a heart-to-heart discussion about Milla's relationship with Moses (Moses), their differing opinions on the matter a harbinger of things to come. Anna's frustration boils over during a piano lesson with Gidon, as she pours out her emotions to him. It is clear that her bond with Milla is far stronger than she initially lets on.

In a parallel storyline, Henry finds himself drawn to Toby once more, his impulsiveness getting the better of him as he plants a kiss on her. The regret that follows is palpable, and although Toby does not seem put off by the sudden display of affection, Henry's guilt hangs heavy in the air. As the days pass, Anna appears to understand her partner's motivations, choosing to forgive his transgression despite the hurt it has caused.

As Henry grapples with the fear that he is losing Milla to Moses' charms, he pays a visit to his adversary at the local courts, seeking answers about his abandonment of Milla on the fateful night. Moses breaks down in tears, revealing that he did indeed return for her, only for things to go awry. Henry's anger and frustration eventually give way to a deeper concern: ensuring Milla's happiness, no matter the personal cost. With an open heart and mind, he extends an olive branch to Moses, inviting him to stay with them despite their differences. The gesture is a testament to Henry's commitment to his friend's well-being, even in the face of adversity.

As Moses settles into his new temporary home with the Finlays, he finds himself effortlessly slipping into domesticity, lending a hand in the kitchen as they work together to create warm, comforting meals. Amidst this cozy atmosphere, an undeniable connection blossoms between him and Milla, culminating in tentative plans for them to attend the upcoming formal gala together. However, their budding romance is short-lived, as Milla discovers Henry's dubious prescription habits, signing off on medications for both Anna and Moses without their knowledge or consent. Her discovery sparks a heated outburst from her parents, Moses included, forcing him to vacate the premises. Seeking solace in his old haunts, he pays a visit to Isaac, only to be rebuffed once more by their overbearing mother. Undeterred, Moses returns to Milla's bedside, pouring out his heart and confessing his deep emotional investment in her life. The two share a poignant night together, their bond strengthened by the weight of their words.

As Milla's 18th birthday party comes to a close, she finds herself surrounded by friends and neighbors at her parents' gathering. With the festivities subsiding, Milla and Moses prepare to take their relationship to the next level, but just as they're about to embark on this intimate milestone, Milla's pain becomes too much to bear. She implores Moses to end her suffering, asking him to smother her in a desperate bid to escape the agony that has consumed her life. Though his heart is heavy with compassion, Moses finds himself unable to comply with her request. Instead, they surrender to their desires, their passion burning brightly as they find solace in each other's arms.

As the night wears on, Milla awakens, takes one last look at the stars, and listens to the sweet serenade of birdsong, basking in the fleeting beauty of life before it slips away. The next morning, Moses finds himself lying beside her lifeless body, his heart heavy with grief as he's confronted by Anna, who asks if Milla is awake. Though Moses says nothing, Henry appears to already be aware of the truth, his knowing gaze a piercing indictment of their desperate situation.

As Anna enters Milla's room, bearing breakfast in an attempt to rouse her, she's met instead with the stark reality of her daughter's passing. Her initial shock gives way to outrage as she turns on Moses, but he insists that Milla had already succumbed to her illness when he woke up. Crushed by grief, Anna collapses into his arms, while Henry makes a poignant pilgrimage to his daughter's bedside, bestowing one final kiss upon her pale skin.

The film concludes with a bittersweet flashback to happier times, as Moses and the Finleys frolic on the beach, Milla capturing a stunning photo of her parents embracing amidst the sun-kissed waves. In this fleeting moment, she asks Henry to take care of Moses when she's gone, and he solemnly agrees, his voice heavy with foreboding. As the camera lingers on the trio's idyllic tableau, the weight of their impending fate hangs precariously in the balance.