What Is Akron About?
The premise of Akron in 271 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the modest bustle of the University of Akron, campus life hums with the rhythm of freshman excitement—late‑night study sessions, the roar of a weekend football game, and the simple thrill of new connections. Against this Midwestern backdrop, two students spot each other across the field, an instant spark that feels both exhilarating and inevitable. The university’s open, supportive atmosphere frames their budding romance, allowing moments of joy to unfold amidst the everyday college experience.
Benny Cruz arrives in Akron carrying the quiet confidence of someone who has learned to navigate grief with a gentle humor, while Christopher Welling brings a warm, optimistic spirit shaped by close‑knit family ties. Both are navigating the first year of independence, balancing classes, campus traditions, and the search for identity. Their families, eager to embrace the new relationship, offer encouragement that underscores a community willing to celebrate love in all its forms.
The film’s tone blends the lightness of youthful discovery with an undercurrent of introspection. It captures the texture of Midwestern life—the soft glow of campus lights, the camaraderie of friends at a local nightclub, and the comforting presence of supportive parents. As Benny and Christopher explore each other’s worlds, the story swells with tender moments, gentle humor, and the subtle tension that comes from navigating personal histories.
Yet a lingering shadow from the past hovers just beyond the surface, a family secret that threatens to test the couple’s resolve. The narrative invites viewers to wonder how the pair will reconcile their love with the complexities that lie beneath, promising a thoughtful journey of forgiveness, growth, and the hopeful possibility of a shared future.
What Happens in Akron?
The complete story of Akron, from the first scene to the last, in 390 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In a crowded supermarket, two families shop for groceries: Benny Cruz and his kin, and Christopher Welling with his mother Carol Welling. As they prepare to head home, tragedy strikes when Carol accidentally hits and kills Davey, Benny’s brother. The moment shatters both households, leaving everyone grappling with shock and grief.
Years later, Benny Cruz and Christopher Welling are students at the University of Akron. They meet on a campus football field during a friendly game between opposing teams, and there is an immediate attraction. They exchange numbers, go on a date, and soon become boyfriends. The pair deepen their connection, heading to a nightclub with friends where they share a night together. As spring break approaches, they decide to spend the week in Florida at Christopher’s mother’s home. The two families offer support and acceptance for the relationship, yet a buried history begins to surface.
Christopher starts to piece together a troubling truth: his mother may have been involved in Benny’s brother’s death. The realization that their families are linked by a painful past casts a shadow as they prepare for their Florida trip. The couple enjoys a brief overnight at a campground, letting their young love unfold with tenderness and curiosity. The plot thickens when Christopher’s mother, during a visit to Jacksonville, recognizes Benny and must confront the past. She makes a heartfelt confession about her involvement, leaving Benny distraught and prompting him to consider returning home to Ohio. He briefly breaks up with Christopher twice as tensions erupt with his family.
The relationship endures, and the pair attend a local stage production of Arsenic and Old Lace, where Benny’s sister Becca Cruz has a starring role. When Benny’s parents, Lenora Cruz and David Cruz see him arrive with Christopher, they feel hurt and angry, questioning what the future holds. Meanwhile, Christopher’s mother travels to Akron with a delicate threefold aim: to pay respects at Davey’s gravesite, to ask [Lenora Cruz] for forgiveness, and to seek their blessing for Benny and Christopher to continue seeing each other. The visit yields mixed results, stirring old wounds while offering a path toward reconciliation.
After a quiet, reflective talk with her husband about trying harder to process grief, Lenora Cruz invites Benny and Christopher over for dinner, signaling a tentative shift toward healing and a cautious, hopeful future for everyone involved.
Akron Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Accident at the supermarket” to “Dinner invitation signaling tentative peace”. 15 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Accident at the supermarket
In a busy supermarket, two families are shopping for groceries when tragedy strikes. Carol accidentally hits and kills Benny's brother Davey, leaving both families in shock and overwhelmed by grief. The incident creates a shared, painful memory that threads through their later lives.
When:Opening scene Where:Supermarket
- 2
Years pass; college life begins
Years after the tragedy, Benny and Christopher meet again at the University of Akron where they play on opposing football teams. Their first encounter sparks an undeniable attraction between them. The contrast of their families' shared history shadows their budding relationship.
Where:Akron, Ohio
- 3
First connection and numbers exchanged
Benny and Christopher are drawn to each other and exchange phone numbers after their first meeting. They begin dating despite the lingering memory of their families' past. The relationship grows with a sense of secret understanding.
Where:University of Akron
- 4
Date and official couple
The two go on a date and officially become boyfriends. They start navigating their romance amid the weight of a history they didn't choose. Their willingness to support each other strengthens their bond.
Where:Akron, Ohio
- 5
Nightclub outing
Benny and Christopher, along with friends, go to a nightclub and end up spending the night together. The moment marks a deeper commitment and emotional closeness between them. They begin to envision a future together beyond secrecy.
Where:Nightclub
- 6
Spring break plan: Florida trip
As spring break nears, they decide to spend the week in Florida at Christopher's mother's home. Their families are supportive of the relationship, yet the couple remains mindful of their past. The trip promises a chance to grow closer away from campus life.
Where:Florida (Christopher's mother's home)
- 7
Growing realization about the past
Just before leaving for Florida, Christopher begins piecing together that his mother was the one who killed Davey. He starts seeing the history between the families more clearly. This revelation adds tension and secrecy to their planned trip.
Where:Akron
- 8
Campground overnight and first intimacy
During a short overnight camping stop on the way to Florida, Benny and Christopher consummate their relationship. The moment is tender and marks a milestone in their romance. It also deepens their commitment to one another.
Where:Campground (en route to Florida)
- 9
Jacksonville discovery and confession
When they visit Christopher's mother in Jacksonville, she discovers Benny's identity. She confesses her involvement in Davey's death, provoking a painful crisis that leads Benny to want to return home to Ohio. The revelation tests their relationship.
Where:Jacksonville, Florida
- 10
Breakups and reconciliation resolve
Benny briefly breaks up with Christopher twice as they quarrel with family pressures. Despite the strain, the couple finds reasons to reconcile and continues to pursue their relationship. The tension underscores how external histories threaten their bond.
Where:Akron, Ohio
Show the other 5 events of Akron Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Arsenic and Old Lace stage production
They attend a local stage production of Arsenic and Old Lace where Benny's sister Becca has a starring role. The event brings mixed emotions for Benny's parents as they confront his relationship with Christopher. It marks a moment of both pride and discomfort in the family dynamic.
Where:Akron, Ohio
- 12
Parents confrontations on arrival
Benny's parents Lenora and David see him arrive with Christopher and react with hurt and anger. Their perspectives are challenged as they must reckon with their own grief and acceptance. The confrontation reveals the depth of unresolved pain in the family.
Where:Akron, Ohio
- 13
Christopher's mother's Akron visit and aims
Christopher's mother travels to Akron with three objectives: honor Davey's grave, seek forgiveness from Benny's mother, and obtain a blessing for Benny and Christopher to see each other. Her visit highlights the fragile balance between guilt and reconciliation.
Where:Akron, Ohio
- 14
Carol's mixed results and grief talk
Carol's plans unfold with mixed results as she confronts her past and the consequences of Davey's death. The family dynamics show small steps toward healing and new boundaries. The scene emphasizes how grief continues to shape their decisions.
Where:Akron, Ohio
- 15
Dinner invitation signaling tentative peace
After a candid conversation about grieving and moving forward, Benny's mother invites Benny and Christopher to dinner. The invitation suggests a tentative, hopeful step toward reconciliation and family acceptance.
Where:Benny's home
Who Are the Main Characters in Akron?
7 characters, among them Benny Cruz (Matthew Frias), Christopher Welling (Edmund Donovan) and Lenora Cruz (Andra Burns): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- BC
Benny Cruz (Matthew Frias)
Played by Matthew Frias
A thoughtful college student at the University of Akron who falls in love with Christopher. He navigates a tense family history while choosing love over fear, showing resilience as he balances loyalty to his family with his own happiness.
- 💖 LGBTQ+ Protagonist
- 🎒 College Life
- 👪 Family Loyalty
- CW
Christopher Welling (Edmund Donovan)
Played by Edmund Donovan
An open-hearted student who forms a deep connection with Benny. He grapples with his mother's past and the expectations of both families, seeking a future where love can endure beyond old wounds.
- 💙 Young Love
- 🎓 College Life
- 🏡 Family Balance
- LC
Lenora Cruz (Andra Burns)
Played by Andréa Burns
Benny's mother, grieving and careful with her words. She wants to support her son but is tied to the past, choosing dinner as a step toward mending fractured relationships.
- 💔 Family Matriarch
- 🏡 Home & Family
- 🎭 Supportive
- DC
David Cruz (Joseph Melendez)
Played by Joseph Melendez
Benny's father, protective and practical. He wrestles with the shock of his son's relationship and the legacy of the family's loss, balancing blame with a desire for unity.
- 🛡️ Protective Father
- 🏠 Family Bonds
- 🔄 Reconciliation
- CW
Carol Welling (Amy da Luz)
Played by Amy da Luz
Christopher's mother, the accidental killer of Benny's brother, who seeks forgiveness. She travels to Akron with a complex mix of remorse and hope for healing relationships.
- 💬 Confronting the Past
- 🕊️ Forgiveness
- 👩👦 Family Ties
- BC
Becca Cruz (Isabel Rose Machado)
Played by Isabel Rose Machado
Benny's sister, who has a starring role in Arsenic and Old Lace. She embodies a supportive, observant presence in the family drama while bridging sibling relations.
- 🎭 Stage Life
- 👭 Sibling Bonds
- 🌸 Family Ties
- J(
Julie (Cailan Rose)
Played by Cailan Rose
Christopher's sister, whose presence hints at the wider family dynamic though she plays a smaller role in the main romance.
- 👨👩👧 Family & Subplot
- 🧩 Subplot
- 💬 Dialogue
Where and When Is Akron Set?
Akron is set in Akron, Ohio, Jacksonville, Florida and University of Akron. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Akron, Ohio, Jacksonville, Florida, University of Akron
Primarily set in Akron, Ohio, with crucial scenes in Jacksonville, Florida during spring break. The University of Akron serves as the backdrop for Benny and Christopher's romance and personal growth, while family homes and a Florida vacation loop illuminate their ties. The setting blends small-town roots with college life and a summer-like escape.
- 🎓 University setting
- 🌈 LGBTQ+ romance
- 🏡 Family drama
What Are the Themes of Akron?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Forbidden Love, Grief & Forgiveness and Identity & Acceptance.
-
01
Forbidden Love
A same-sex romance challenges both families' expectations, testing loyalty and the future of Benny and Christopher. The couple must navigate secrecy, social norms, and the risk of being torn apart by tradition. The story frames love as a force capable of bridging divides, even amid guilt and past hurts.
-
02
Grief & Forgiveness
The death of Davey casts a long shadow over the families, shaping guilt, blame, and the search for absolution. Carol's confession becomes a turning point that reshapes trust and forces painful conversations. Reconciliation requires honest reckoning with the past and willingness to move forward.
-
03
Identity & Acceptance
Christopher's relationship with Benny pushes him to define his own identity within a supportive but divided family. Acceptance from both sides gradually emerges as characters confront prejudice and protect those they love. The narrative treats self-acceptance as a continual process, not a single moment.
-
04
Secrets & Reconciliation
Hidden truths about the accident and family histories surface, altering relationships and trust. The parents' reactions and Becca's stage world provide contrasting backdrops for truth-telling, forgiveness, and new beginnings. The film emphasizes dialogue and shared meals as avenues toward healing.
What Kind of Film Is Akron?
Hopeful in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Hopeful
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A heartfelt and tender romance that explores young love amid a backdrop of shared family tragedy, balancing melancholic grief with a persistent, hopeful undercurrent of healing and reconciliation.
- hopeful
- tender
- melancholic
- introspective
- heartfelt
- romantic
- lgbtq romance
- grief and loss
- family reconciliation
- young love
Content notes: accidental death, grief.
Quiz
How well do you remember Akron? Test yourself on the story.
