What Is Babyteeth About?
The premise of Babyteeth in 325 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a sun‑drenched coastal suburb, the everyday rhythm of school, therapy sessions, and family meals is gently unsettled by the quiet urgency of a young life drawing to an end. The film follows Milla Finlay, a bright, artistic teenager whose diagnosis forces her to confront mortality with a mixture of defiant humor and fragile hope. Against this backdrop of ordinary life tinged with the extraordinary weight of illness, the story balances tender moments with an undercurrent of restless energy, inviting the audience into a world where love and loss intertwine like the sea breezes that drift through the neighborhood.
Moses, a charismatic but marginalized young man who makes a living on the fringe of legality, drifts into Milla’s orbit, offering a kind of reckless freedom that both intrigues and unsettles her. Their connection is immediate and charged, suggesting a romance that feels both improbable and vital for a girl whose days are increasingly measured by medical appointments. At the same time, Milla’s parents—Henry, a therapist whose professional composure masks personal anxieties, and Anna, a mother coping through medication—navigate their own strained intimacy while trying to protect their daughter. The family dynamic crackles with love, fatigue, and unspoken fears, creating a tension that bubbles beneath polite conversations.
The film’s tone is simultaneously lyrical and gritty, capturing the bright colors of adolescence alongside the shadowed corners of hardship. It paints a portrait of a household where ordinary concerns—school, work, neighborhood gossip—are juxtaposed with the extraordinary challenge of a child’s looming farewell. Through intimate dialogue and lingering visual motifs, the story hints at the transformative power of unexpected companionship, while also acknowledging the inevitable friction it causes within a family already stretched thin by grief.
As the narrative unfolds, the audience is invited to linger in the moments where laughter and sorrow coexist, and to wonder how far a young heart will go when the promise of love feels like a fleeting lifeline in an otherwise fragile existence.
What Happens in Babyteeth?
The complete story of Babyteeth, from the first scene to the last, in 765 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Milla Finlay, a Eliza Scanlen played by Eliza Scanlen, is a young girl facing the devastating reality of a terminal illness. The film opens with a poignant scene at a train station, where Milla waits on the platform, and a slightly older boy named Moses, played by Toby Wallace, runs near the tracks. Despite her friends waiting, Milla stays back and chats with Moses. During their conversation, her nose begins to bleed, prompting Moses to give her his shirt to stop the bleeding. In a later exchange, Moses asks Milla for shelter, revealing that he’s been kicked out of his home, and she gives him fifty dollars in exchange for a favor: shaving her head, as she is about to start chemotherapy for her illness.
Moses accompanies her home to do the haircut but is interrupted by his mother and younger brother Isaac, which forces him and Milla to leave. Meanwhile, her Henry, portrayed by Ben Mendelsohn, a therapist, and Anna, played by Essie Davis, Milla’s mother, try to reconnect after therapy. Their attempt at intimacy is interrupted, highlighting the strain brought about by Milla’s diagnosis, and Anna reveals her own struggles by taking drugs to cope.
Milla introduces Moses to her parents, leading to awkward but revealing moments. Anna expresses concern about Moses’s age and apparent drug use, which creates tension. When Anna becomes visibly affected by her medication, she exhibits strange behavior and questions Moses inappropriately, causing embarrassment and discomfort. Despite these moments, Milla shows a growing interest in Moses, hinting at her desire for connection beyond her illness.
As Milla prepares for chemotherapy, she continues to lead a relatively normal life, taking violin lessons with her tutor Gidon, played by Eugene Gilfedder, and practicing with a neighbor boy. Nonetheless, her health remains fragile. She and Moses share moments of closeness, like attending a school event, where she unveils a wig she wears to cover her hair loss. Later, she finds Moses outside the school and decides to attend the school formal with him, showing her determination to engage with life despite her circumstances.
Moses and Milla’s relationship deepens as they spend more time together, including visits to parties and the park, where they dance and share intimate moments. At a party, Moses’s behavior begins to shift as he is distracted by a kiss from another girl and encounters a mysterious woman, which leaves Milla feeling distressed. Despite their setbacks, the two find solace in each other, sharing a dance on the rooftop after a night of confusion, vomiting, and heartfelt conversations. The following day, Milla is hospitalized, marking a turning point in her journey.
Throughout the story, her parents’ struggles become more evident. Henry’s interactions with neighbor Toby and his impulsive kiss reveal their own emotional complexities, yet he remains committed to Milla’s happiness. Anna grapples with her feelings, oscillating between concern and confusion, especially as Henry confronts Moses about their relationship. Henry, despite reservations, eventually invites Moses to stay with their family, recognizing the importance of Milla’s happiness.
As time progresses, issues of trust and caregiving surface. Milla’s discovery that her father is signing Moses’s prescriptions causes her to feel betrayed, prompting her to confront her parents and push Moses away. Feeling rejected, Moses visits his brother and attempts to reconnect with his family but faces rejection as well. Despite these setbacks, he reassures Milla of his care and devotion, and they spend a final night together, solidifying their bond.
The story reaches a heart-wrenching climax during Milla’s birthday celebration. After the festivities, she and Moses prepare for their first intimate experience. In a moment of deep despair, she asks him to smother her because of her unbearable pain, but Moses cannot go through with it. They continue until she feels at peace, but her condition worsens. That night, Milla quietly walks outside to gaze at the sky, symbolizing her acceptance and final farewell.
Moses wakes up the next morning beside her, knowing she has passed away. Despite his attempts to leave, Anna finds her daughter’s body, and he quietly insists she was already gone when he checked on her. Overcome with grief, Anna breaks down, and Moses holds her, sharing in the sorrow. Henry, filled with quiet sadness, enters the bedroom to pay respects, and the film closes with a powerful flashback of Milla at the beach. She takes a picture of her father and Moses, asking him to look out for Moses after she’s gone. Her final act is capturing a tender image of her parents together—a poignant reminder of the love and life that persisted through such tragedy.
Babyteeth Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Milla Waits for the Train” to “Final Flashback at the Beach”. 11 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Milla Waits for the Train
The film opens with teenager Milla Finlay standing on a platform, waiting for a train. She talks to Moses, a slightly older boy, after he runs near the tracks, and he provides her with his shirt to stop her nosebleed. This marks the beginning of their interaction and sets the tone for Milla's health struggles.
Where:train station
- 2
Milla Asks Moses for Shelter
Milla, suffering from a terminal illness, seeks Moses' help after he is kicked out of his house. She gives him money and asks him to shave her head, revealing her upcoming start of chemotherapy. The scene highlights her vulnerability and her desire for connection.
Where:Milla's home
- 3
Moses Meets Milla's Parents
Milla introduces Moses to her parents, Henry and Anna. Her mother Anna is uncomfortable with Moses' age and drug signs, and her father Henry attempts lighthearted conversation. Anna's discomfort reveals underlying tension about Moses' presence in their lives.
Where:Finlay household
- 4
Milla Begins Chemo and Maintains Normal Activities
As Milla prepares to start chemotherapy, she continues her daily routines, including violin lessons. Her tutor Gidon and neighbor Tin Wah help her practice music, showing her effort to preserve normalcy despite her illness.
Where:Milla's home and nearby locations
- 5
Moses Breaks into Milla's House
Moses sneaks into the Finlay house looking for food, but Anna catches him. Milla intervenes to diffuse the situation, and the family invites Moses to share breakfast. This incident marks his deeper integration into Milla's world.
Where:Finlay household
- 6
Milla Gets Ready for School
Milla unveils a new wig for herself, which Moses admires, and she goes to school. She interacts with classmates and later finds Moses outside, deciding to invite him to the school formal, signifying her growing interest in him.
Where:School
- 7
Milla and Moses Attend a Party
Moses takes Milla to a party organized by his brother. They dance, but Milla feels dislodged when Moses is kissed by another girl. She then encounters a mysterious woman, leading to her feeling overwhelmed and throwing up, but they share an intimate dance afterward.
Where:Party venue
- 8
Henry Confronts Feelings and Invites Moses
Henry encounters Toby and later kisses her impulsively, experiencing regret. Concerned about Milla's well-being, he confronts Moses about abandoning her and ultimately invites him to stay with the family to ensure her happiness.
Where:Henry's home and neighborhood
- 9
Milla and Moses' Relationship Deepens
Moses stays with the Finlay family and they prepare for the formal together. However, tensions rise when Milla discovers Moses has been prescribed drugs, leading to an argument and his departure. He visits Isaac but is turned away by his mother, emphasizing his unstable situation.
Where:Finlay home and Moses' old house
- 10
Milla's Last Night and Death
After her birthday party, Milla and Moses attempt to have sex, with her asking him to smother her due to her pain, but he cannot. She later walks outside, gazing at the sky, and the next morning, she is found dead in her bed, marking the culmination of her illness.
Where:Milla's bedroom and outdoors
- 11
Final Flashback at the Beach
A flashback shows Milla with her family at the beach. She asks Henry to care for Moses after she is gone, capturing her love and concern for her loved ones. The scene ends with a beautiful photo of her parents, symbolizing her lasting impact.
Where:Beach
Who Are the Main Characters in Babyteeth?
4 characters, among them Milla Finlay (Eliza Scanlen), Henry Finlay (Ben Mendelsohn) and Anna Finlay (Essie Davis): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Milla Finlay (Eliza Scanlen)
Played by Eliza Scanlen
A sensitive and courageous teenager diagnosed with a terminal illness. Despite her health struggles, she seeks normalcy and connection, showing resilience and an ironic sense of humor. Her character embodies youthful vulnerability blended with a desire to live fully.
- 🩺 Terminally Ill
- ❤️ Young Rebel
- 🎻 Music Lover
-
Henry Finlay (Ben Mendelsohn)
Played by Ben Mendelsohn
Milla's concerned father and a therapist who struggles to balance his professional detachment with his father's love. He wrestles with feelings of helplessness and guilt, trying to protect his family while accepting their inevitable loss.
- 👔 Therapist
- 🧡 Protective
- 💔 Grieving
-
Anna Finlay (Essie Davis)
Played by Essie Davis
Milla's mother who copes with her daughter's terminal illness through substance use and emotional upheaval. She is complex, showing moments of vulnerability, frustration, and confusion as she navigates her daughter's declining health.
- 💊 Anxious
- 😔 Overwhelmed
- 💉 Self-medicating
-
Moses (Toby Wallace)
Played by Toby Wallace
A rebellious young man with a troubled background who forms a deep connection with Milla. His character is marked by vulnerability, loyalty, and love, despite his rough exterior and struggles with drug use.
- 🎱 Rebellious
- 💔 Loving
- 🚶♂️ Troubled youth
Where and When Is Babyteeth Set?
Babyteeth is set in Sydney and Australia (Contemporary (early 21st century)). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Contemporary (early 21st century)
The movie takes place in the early 2000s to 2010s, reflecting modern medical and social contexts. This period is characterized by advancements in healthcare, particularly cancer treatments, and evolving conversations about mental health and youth culture. The contemporary setting emphasizes current societal dynamics.
Where
Sydney, Australia
The movie is set in Sydney, Australia's urban and suburban areas. Sydney is known for its iconic landmarks, vibrant arts scene, and diverse neighborhoods. The setting captures both the bustling city life and quiet residential districts, providing a poignant backdrop for the story.
- 🌅 Coastal
- 🏡 Suburban
- 🎨 Artsy
What Are the Themes of Babyteeth?
2 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Mental Health and Love and Loss.
-
01
Mental Health
The film explores the impact of terminal illness on mental health, as well as the emotional struggles of both the patients and their families. Characters cope with pain, fear, and grief, highlighting the importance of support and understanding in difficult times.
-
02
Love and Loss
Central to the story are themes of unfulfilled love, youthful romance, and impending death. The characters navigate fragile relationships, finding moments of connection amidst the pain of terminal illness. The film poignantly portrays love's resilience and its limits in the face of mortality.
What Kind of Film Is Babyteeth?
Bittersweet in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Sad
A tender and heart-wrenching drama that explores the raw desperation and bittersweet joy of a terminally ill teen's first love, set against the backdrop of her family's crumbling emotional foundation.
- melancholic
- tender
- desperate
- raw
- heartbreaking
- introspective
- terminal illness
- first love
- family strain
- grief and loss
Content notes: terminal illness, drug use, request for assisted death.
Quiz
How well do you remember Babyteeth? Test yourself on the story.
Where to Watch Babyteeth
Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 7
AMC Plus Apple TV channel 
AMC+ 
AMC+ Amazon Channel 
AMC+ Roku Premium Channel 
Kanopy 
Philo 
Sundance Now 
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
