Project X

In the affluent community of Pasadena, a group of high school students, led by Costa and J.B., concoct a plan to throw a birthday bash for their friend Thomas, with the aim of boosting their social status. With Thomas's parents away for the weekend, they see an opportunity to host the party at his house, despite his initial reluctance. The duo enlists the help of Dax, an AV student, to capture the night's revelry on camera. As the party's hype builds, Costa and J.B. spread the word throughout the school, even going so far as to place ads on Craigslist and a local radio station.

Thomas, eager to impress Alexis, the most popular girl in school, and Kirby, his best friend who harbors a secret crush on him, invites them to join in the festivities. The trio then embarks on a mission to procure marijuana from T-Rick, a local drug dealer. In the process, Costa pilfers one of T-Rick's prized lawn gnomes, which will serve as the party's mascot.

As night falls and the party's start time arrives, Thomas begins to worry that his friends won't show up. However, just as he starts to lose hope, a sudden influx of guests descends upon the property. Despite efforts to keep the party contained within the backyard and pool house, it quickly spirals out of control, with revelers flooding into the main house.

Thomas becomes increasingly concerned about the escalating chaos, which prompts him to confront Costa about his advertising tactics. In a moment of confession, Costa reveals that he took liberties with his promotional efforts, fearing that no one would attend. As the party rages on, T-Rick's gnome is mercilessly smashed, exposing its hidden contents: a stash of ecstasy tablets, which are quickly devoured by the partiers.

The authorities arrive in response to a noise complaint, but the partygoers remain eerily silent, convincing the officers that the party has already concluded. With the police departed and the party resumed, Thomas shares a romantic moment with Kirby, revealing his true feelings for her. Meanwhile, Alexis weaves her charms around Thomas, ultimately seducing him.

Kirby, however, catches the pair in flagrante delicto and exits the party in distress. The cacophony of noise and chaos emanating from the property attracts the attention of local news crews, with helicopters hovering above the house to capture the mayhem on camera. In a bizarre finale, a dwarf guest takes Thomas's father's prized Mercedes for an impromptu spin into the pool after being consigned to an oven by fellow partygoers.

As the night wears on, the police return in a forceful attempt to quell the revelry, but they are met with fierce resistance from the guests. Undeterred, they choose to let the festivities run their natural course before intervening. Meanwhile, T-Rick (flanked by an infernal flamethrower) sets out to reclaim his cherished gnome, incinerating trees and vehicles in a desperate bid to locate Costa. Panicked, the partygoers flee as Thomas' residence goes up in flames and the SWAT team swoops in to retake the neighborhood, leaving it scorched and smoldering.

Come morning's light, the friends return home to face the music, each wondering what retribution awaits them. Upon his parents' return, Thomas' father surprises him with a mixture of pride and punishment, utilizing Thomas' college fund to cover the damages. At school, Thomas, Costa, and J.B. are feted by their peers, while Thomas reconciles romantically with Kirby.

As the dust settles on the chaos, T-Rick is miraculously rescued from the explosion's aftermath. In a courtroom drama, Thomas is convicted of disturbing the peace, contributing to the delinquency of minors, and inciting a riot. Costa and J.B., however, emerge exonerated – Costa thanks to his impressive lawyerly skills and J.B. due to his parents' impassioned plea that he is mentally unfit to stand trial. A tantalizing subplot develops as it becomes clear that Costa is awaiting the results of three paternity tests. Meanwhile, Dax finds himself under scrutiny for the mysterious disappearance of his parents.

In a candid interview with Jillian Reynolds, Costa promises his next extravaganza will be an even more unforgettable spectacle.