Doug Riley and his wife Lois have been living in a state of emotional limbo ever since their daughter Emily was tragically killed eight years earlier. Doug, portrayed by James Gandolfini, finds himself entangled in an affair with a waitress named Vivian, while Lois struggles with her own unbearable guilt over their daughter’s death. She has become increasingly reclusive, relying on in-home services like hairdressers, her sister Harriet, and a local pastor for support.

The unexpected death of Vivian leaves Doug in turmoil. During a business trip to New Orleans, he faces a poignant moment of choice. In a local strip club, he encounters a 16-year-old lap dancer named Mallory, whose daring invitation for intimacy he declines. Instead, he offers her $100 a day for the privilege of staying at her rundown apartment to help sort through his grief and confusion—no strings attached. Mallory, played by Kristen Stewart, reluctantly agrees.

Feeling obligated to be honest, Doug tells Lois he cannot return home. As Doug and Mallory settle into an unconventional cohabitation, marked by Mallory’s nakedness and constant flirtation, Lois finally resolves to confront her overwhelming solitude. For the first time in eight years, she manages to drive to New Orleans, propelled by a paper bag in case anxiety overwhelms her.

Once in Louisiana, Doug takes a proactive role in organizing Mallory’s neglected space, hoping to cultivate some semblance of normalcy. When Lois arrives and is shocked to discover her husband living with a foul-mouthed under-aged hooker, she sees an unsettling resemblance between Mallory and her lost daughter Emily. Driven by both sorrow and desperation, Lois decides to stay in the cramped apartment, leading to an unusual dynamic among the trio.

Tensions rise when Lois attempts to persuade Mallory to step away from her lifestyle. After an intense argument, a distraught Mallory flees, only to find herself in trouble with the law. She calls Doug for help, who, along with Lois, rushes to her aid. However, as they drive away, Mallory makes a poignant assertion, stating, > “I’m not somebody’s little girl. It’s too late for that,” before sprinting back into the night.

This moment crystallizes the painful realization for Doug and Lois: Mallory can never replace their daughter, and they must confront the reality of their loss. Their return to Indianapolis signifies a sobering acceptance. Weeks later, Mallory reaches out to Doug, informing him of her plans to head to Las Vegas. He assures her that no matter where life takes her, he and Lois will always be waiting, ready to support her whenever she decides to reach out.