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Plot Summary


The cinematic curtain rises to reveal a scene steeped in chaos and desperation, as Arielle Summers, portrayed by Bella Thorne, finds herself amidst the turmoil. Amidst the carnage, her detached tone fills the air as she speaks on the phone, uttering the word “fate,” a concept that will soon be challenged when authorities arrive. As the camera lingers on her expression, Arielle expresses her belief that she was always meant for greatness.

Before this pivotal moment, Arielle leads a mundane life in Florida, living with her working mother, Janet (played by Marisa Coughlan), who has begun seeing a man of questionable morals. Navigating the world of social media, Arielle struggles to build her online presence, boasting only a meager following. A spontaneous encounter at a party ignites a chain of events when a violent fistfight, captured on camera, propels her into the public eye, resulting in a dramatic jump in her follower count to an astonishing 147.

Arielle’s life intertwines with that of Dean Taylor, portrayed by Jake Manley, when she finds him working on his car at a local garage. Their connection deepens as they spend time together at parties, where Dean candidly shares his turbulent past, including his time in prison for armed robbery and assault. He opens up about the struggles he faces due to the abusive nature of his father. Arielle confides in him about her yearning to escape the confines of Florida and pursue a glamorous life in Hollywood.

As their relationship blossoms, Dean teaches Arielle vital survival skills, including marksmanship, which they practice by shooting at cans. However, when rumors about Dean’s violent background reach Arielle’s ears, she fiercely defends him. A shocking revelation occurs when she discovers her savings have disappeared, leading her to confront Bobby, her mother’s boyfriend, in an explosive encounter. The confrontation turns physical, leaving Arielle battered and vowing revenge on Bobby.

Arriving at Dean’s home, Arielle is drawn into a terrifying scene where Dean’s father is physically assaulting him. In a spontaneous act of courage, she attempts to intervene but is thrown to the ground, leaving her momentarily dazed. Dean manages to protect himself, but not before the brutal confrontation results in his father’s accidental death. Amid the panic, Arielle assures Dean they will escape and hit the open road together, but their lack of funds prompts Dean to propose a dangerous idea: robbing a gas station. Arielle, eager for attention, livestreams the theft to her burgeoning online audience.

Following the robbery, she wakes up to discover her follower count has skyrocketed to 3,000, tying her deeper into a world where fame and crime intertwine. Despite Dean’s growing doubts about their choices, Arielle sees their criminal exploits as a pathway to financial freedom and continued popularity. They become embroiled in a national crime spree, which sees Arielle’s followers soar past 3 million, bringing them financial security but also attracting unwanted attention from the authorities.

As pressure mounts, the couple’s bond begins to fray. In a brazen move, they decide to rob a dispensary, this time with Dean filming the incident. However, during a routine traffic stop, their reckless behavior is caught on camera, culminating in a chaotic standoff when Arielle impulsively jumps out of the vehicle.

Their lives spiral out of control as they go underground, faced with the consequences of their actions. Tension escalates when Arielle’s reckless choices lead her to rob a gas station without justification, resulting in a violent encounter that leaves her injured. Following a desperate escape, the couple finds themselves in a high-speed chase with law enforcement. During the fray, they realize their fortune is lost.

Arielle’s fixation on her social media status drives a wedge between her and Dean, who is desperate to abandon their criminal ways for a safer life. In a moment of desperation, Arielle unnecessarily robs another store, leading to her being shot in the shoulder during the resulting chaos. As she limps back to Dean, their relationship hangs by a thread, exacerbated by their constant fighting about priorities.

When they meet Elle (played by Amber Riley), a supportive stranger moved by Arielle’s online persona, they find temporary refuge. However, when they attempt to pass a police checkpoint, the stakes skyrocket as they evade capture, leaving Elle behind in a precarious situation. Arielle’s decision to share their journey on social media keeps their nine lives in the public eye, prompting her to continue streaming even when it threatens their safety.

Upon arriving at Kyle’s (played by Michael Snow) hideout, Arielle eagerly joins a dangerous bank heist, ignoring Dean’s cautious warnings. Their plans quickly unravel when Arielle live broadcasts the heist, leading to an unexpected tragedy that leaves both Dean and Kyle fatally wounded in the crossfire.

Afterward, as the reality of their choices weighs heavily, Arielle goes live to confront her audience, questioning whether this chaotic life is truly her destiny. As she’s taken into custody, her phone slips, leaving her to grapple with the paradox of fame within the grasp of adversity, forever etched in the memories of her adoring followers.

Timeline


Arielle's Mundane Life

In Florida, Arielle Summers leads a mundane life under the care of her mother, Janet. Surrounded by the challenges of adolescence, she feels the weight of mediocrity and longs for something greater.

Florida

Encountering Trouble

A chance meeting at a party sharply alters Arielle's course. Capturing a violent fistfight on camera unexpectedly thrusts her into the spotlight, igniting a surge in her social media followers.

Meeting Dean

Arielle meets Dean Taylor while he works on his car at a local garage. Their connection strengthens as they bond over shared experiences and mutual struggles.

Local Garage

Deeper Connections

As they attend more parties together, Dean shares his troubled past, revealing his experiences with prison and an abusive father. Arielle, feeling trapped in her life, dreams of escaping to Hollywood.

Skills and Trust

Dean teaches Arielle important survival skills, including marksmanship, deepening their bond of trust. Arielle fiercely defends Dean when rumors about his violent history circulate.

Confrontation with Bobby

Arielle's life takes a darker turn when she discovers her savings have mysteriously disappeared. An explosive confrontation with her mother’s boyfriend, Bobby, ensues, leaving Arielle determined to seek revenge.

Dean's Nightmare

At Dean's home, a violent altercation occurs with his father. Arielle's attempt to intervene ends tragically, resulting in Dean's father's accidental death, forever changing the duo's trajectory.

Dean's Home

Robbing for Fame

Facing a financial crisis, Arielle livestreams their robbery of a gas station, seeking validation. The stunt leads to her follower count skyrocketing, further entrenching her in a world of crime.

Gas Station

National Crime Spree

Arielle and Dean plunge into a nationwide crime spree, which catapults her followers to over 3 million. The allure of fame clashes with the increasing danger from law enforcement.

The Dispensary Robbery

The couple decides to rob a dispensary, with Dean capturing the chaos on film. During their reckless escapade, law enforcement begins to close in, leading to a tense traffic stop.

Underground Escapades

As they go underground to evade capture, Arielle's reckless decisions spiral out of control. A desperate gas station robbery results in violence, injuring her and fraying their bond.

Gas Station

Meeting Elle

In their moment of crisis, Arielle and Dean encounter Elle, who empathetically supports Arielle's social media persona. They take refuge, but the danger escalates as they face a police checkpoint.

The Bank Heist

At Kyle's hideout, Arielle eagerly engages in a bank heist, ignoring cautionary advice from Dean. The heist descends into chaos when Arielle live broadcasts it, leading to tragic losses.

Bank

The Downfall

Reality sets in as Arielle grapples with the consequences of their choices. She goes live to confront her followers, questioning her chaotic lifestyle just as she is taken into custody.

Lost in Fame

In the aftermath of her arrest, Arielle realizes the paradox of fame; it has brought her both adoration and despair. As she faces the world from behind bars, her legacy as a social media star remains.

Police Station

Characters


Arielle Summers (Bella Thorne)

Arielle is a clever yet impulsive young woman desperate for fame and validation. Her chaotic decisions propel her into the criminal underworld, highlighting her yearning for greatness amidst turmoil. She often acts without considering consequences, reflecting her inner conflicts and desire for acceptance.

👩‍🎤 Influencer 😈 Reckless

Dean Taylor (Jake Manley)

Dean is a complex character with a troubled past, seeking redemption as he navigates a tumultuous relationship with Arielle. His experiences with crime and family abuse shape his cautious nature and protectiveness towards Arielle, showcasing the tension between love and the urge to escape their harsh reality.

❤️ Protector ⚖️ Troubled

Setting


Time period

The story reflects contemporary issues of social media influence and the pursuit of fame, situating it in today's digital age. Themes of crime and morality during this time highlight the challenges youth face amidst modern technological advancements.

Location

Florida, Hollywood

The movie takes place primarily in Florida, a stately state known for its beaches and vibrant culture. It also touches upon the aspirations of young individuals drawn to Hollywood, the heart of the American film industry, symbolizing dreams of fame and fortune.

🏖️ Beach 🎬 Film Industry

Themes


💔

Love and Betrayal

The relationship between Arielle and Dean embodies both deep affection and betrayal, showcasing how love can be complicated by personal choices and external pressures. They navigate loyalty against the backdrop of their chaotic lives, revealing the fragility of trust.

🚨

Crime and Consequences

The film explores the consequences of crime as Arielle and Dean spiral deeper into illegal activities, driven by the allure of fame. Their reckless decisions lead to violence and a severe collapse of their relationship, demonstrating the harsh realities of a life of crime.

📱

Social Media Fame

Arielle's obsession with social media fame encapsulates the allure and dangers of online celebrity culture. She constantly seeks validation through her follower count, illustrating the complex relationship between public persona and personal identity.

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