National Anthem 2024

Dylan is a 21-year-old who lives in rural New Mexico and works as a construction worker to support his little brother Cassidy and their alcoholic mother, Fiona. He saves every spare dollar to buy an RV and see the country, dreaming of a horizon beyond the family’s daily grind. His path shifts when Pepe asks him to work temporarily at a ranch called House of Splendor. From a distance he watches its queer residents live peaceful, expressive lives, and he begins to grow acquainted with Sky, Pepe’s trans girlfriend, whose warmth and openness draw him in. A rainbow flag fluttering on the property becomes a small, bright sign of belonging, though she warns him—quietly and firmly—not to get too close.

One day the group turns up at a local superstore, and Sky applies eyeshadow on Dylan before inviting him to a rodeo where several residents will be participating. He agrees to go, only to flee the store later, ashamed of wearing makeup. Cassidy helps him wipe away the makeup, and he begs them to keep it a secret from Fiona.

At the rodeo, Dylan is overwhelmed by the pure joy he sees around him. He’s suddenly inspired to ride a bull after watching Sky, who wins a belt buckle and even gifts it to him. The mood shifts when the group visits a drag bar where Sky performs a lip-sync number. After a round of mushroom tea, Dylan shares a intimate moment with Sky and Pepe. Sky later reveals that the two are in an open relationship, though Pepe’s jealousy is clear, and he reminds Dylan that he is only a temporary resident at the ranch.

Dylan befriends Carrie, a non-binary resident who opens up about being kicked out of their family after coming out. They tell Dylan that he can choose to be whoever he wants, encouraging him to explore his own identity without fear.

After attending a festival together, Dylan and Sky have sex. The night continues with another drag-bar outing where Dylan steps into drag and delivers a confident lip-sync performance. Fiona begins to resent how much time Dylan spends at the ranch, taking Cassidy with him and buying him dresses, a sign of growing strain at home.

The tension comes to a head when Dylan discovers Fiona has stolen some of the money saved for his RV. He storms off with Cassidy to live at the ranch, cutting ties with the old routine for the moment.

While riding horses, a storm hits. Sky’s horse, Cash, bolts into the weather and, after a brutal run, is injured by a barbed wire fence and dies. Sky is devastated, and Pepe offers quiet comfort. Carrie reassures Dylan that it wasn’t his fault, though he carries the weight of guilt for staying out in the storm with Cash after Sky warned him.

Eventually, Fiona returns with an apology and money to put toward an RV, and the family begins to mend. With a renewed sense of hope, Dylan takes his family to another rodeo, and the scene closes on a warm, amiable moment between Dylan and Sky as they share a farewell embrace before parting ways.