The Sweet East

High school student Lillian embarks on a class trip to Washington, D.C., where fate intervenes in the form of an armed assault on a local restaurant. Believing the establishment harbors a secret pedophilia ring, the assailant sets off a chain reaction that leads Lillian into the orbit of anarchist activist Caleb. As they navigate the complex web of social unrest, Caleb's cohorts welcome her into their fold, and she becomes embroiled in their protest activities.

However, during this tumultuous period, Lillian encounters Lawrence, a far-right university professor with ties to neo-Nazi ideology. Despite his dubious credentials, he extends an invitation for her to stay at his home, where she witnesses the clandestine transfer of a substantial duffel bag from one individual to another. As tensions simmer beneath the surface, Lillian sends word to a friend that she's safe and intends to remain in this new environment.

Meanwhile, news outlets begin reporting a police manhunt for her, fueled by speculation that she's been kidnapped. As Lillian navigates this precarious situation, Lawrence's hospitality is replaced with an invitation to accompany him on a trip to New York City, where the enigmatic duffel bag remains a constant presence.

During their Manhattan excursion, Lillian convinces Lawrence to rent a hotel room, where she makes a bold move by shedding her inhibitions in front of him. The next day, she dispatches Lawrence to procure some nail polish, using this brief respite to secretly rummage through the bag and discover its contents: a substantial sum of cash.

With the cash in hand, Lillian seizes control of the situation, absconding with the duffel bag and leaving Lawrence's hotel room behind. On the streets of Manhattan, she crosses paths with film director Molly and producer Matthew, who are captivated by her unique story and offer her a role in their forthcoming production.

As filming commences, Lillian forges a connection with her co-star Ian, a renowned actor. Their on-screen chemistry translates to real-life sparks, earning them widespread attention from the paparazzi. When the skinhead who had previously appeared in the duffel bag's transaction arrives on set, seeking revenge and retribution, chaos erupts. The ensuing bloodshed claims numerous lives, including that of Ian, as Lillian finds herself trapped in a maelstrom of violence and destruction.

As fate would have it, Lillian's harrowing ordeal comes to an end with the intervention of Mo, a resourceful crew member who whisks her away to a secluded barn on a property owned by his brother Ahmad, a sanctuary for an Islamic community. Initially, she remains hidden out of fear that the skinheads are still scouring the area for her, but as time passes, she begins to feel a sense of security within the walls of this rustic haven. During her stay, Lillian stumbles upon a newspaper report detailing the capture of the skinheads by police, along with the discovery of an assault rifle - a sobering reminder that her ordeal is indeed behind her.

As the desire to leave begins to take hold, Lillian's plans are foiled when she is spotted by Ahmad, Mo, and other members of the community. In a bid to avoid detection, she feigns concern for a lost canine companion, claiming to be a neighbor in search of a wayward pup that has wandered onto the property. As exhaustion takes its toll, Lillian's legs give out beneath her, sending her crashing to the ground.

It is here that her journey takes an unexpected turn, as she finds herself awakening within the serene confines of a monastery. A kindly priest informs her that she was plucked from the brink of hypothermia and that the authorities have been apprised of her whereabouts. Upon returning home, Lillian is struck by the stark contrast between her former classmates' lives and those they now lead. As her family becomes increasingly absorbed in TV news reports detailing a devastating terrorist attack at a football stadium that has claimed tens of thousands of lives, Lillian slips quietly out of the house, a hint of a smile playing on her lips as she gazes directly into the camera lens.