What Is Chance About?
The premise of Chance in 273 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the sun‑drenched sprawl of Los Angeles, a restless energy hums through apartments, nightclubs, and endless coffee‑shop conversations. The film dresses this urban backdrop in a sharply comic tone, letting absurdity slip through everyday moments like a mischievous breeze. It feels like a witty social experiment, where every encounter is a potential punchline and every earnest confession teeters on the edge of farce.
At the heart of the chaos is Chance, a twenty‑something who floats on a trust‑fund cushion while juggling a sardonic outlook on love. She is unapologetically sexually confident, convinced that everyone is on a desperate hunt for “the one,” and she throws herself into that quest with a mix of bravado and vulnerability. Sharing her eclectic loft with Simon, an under‑employed telemarketer who battles his own insecurities, she navigates a life that is both comfortable and wildly unpredictable. Their banter and uneasy companionship create a steady undercurrent of humor, grounding the film’s more eccentric moments.
Surrounding Chance is a revolving door of would‑be suitors and family entanglements that keep the narrative buzzing. Her mother, Desiree, is in the midst of a turbulent divorce, while her father, Malcolm, drifts into new relationships that add another layer of awkwardness to family dinners. Meanwhile, a series of strange, almost surreal encounters—including a lingering mystery linked to a young woman from Manchester—pepper the story with intrigue, hinting at deeper undercurrents beneath the comedic surface. As Chance spins through awkward dates, impulsive night outs, and tangled friendships, the film wields its black‑comedy palette to explore the frantic search for genuine connection amid a world that seems determined to keep love both elusive and hilariously messy.
What Happens in Chance?
The complete story of Chance, from the first scene to the last, in 586 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Chance Amber Benson is a twenty-something slacker living in Los Angeles, who relies on a trust fund for finances and shares an apartment with her friend Simon James Marsters, an unsuccessful telemarketer who is self-conscious about his body odor. One day, Simon comes home from the grocery store to find a dead woman in Chance’s bed.
The film then goes back several months. Rory Rayder Woods, a struggling soap opera actor with whom Chance had a one-night stand, appears at her door and grows emotional, trying to convince her that they have a connection beyond just sex. To ease the tension, Chance and Simon spin a story about meeting in a mental institution, a tale that unnerves Rory enough to make him stop crying and leave.
Back at home, Desiree Christine Estabrook — Chance’s mother — calls to say she’s coming for a visit. To dodge time with her mother, Chance has Simon switch roles with her for the weekend, and Simon spends time with Desiree pretending to be Chance until Desiree tells Simon that she needs to talk to Chance about something in particular. Desiree then reveals that she is leaving Chance’s father Malcolm, who is in a relationship with another woman named Heidi. Upset, Chance shares the news with Simon about her parents’ divorce and reveals that Desiree wants to stay with them for a while. Simon, in an attempt to comfort her, begs again for $200 to pay off parking tickets. Though hesitant because of a painful experience with a past boyfriend, Chance agrees to lend him the money for playing along with the ruse for her mother.
Feeling uneasy about the idea of her mother living with them, Chance arranges for Desiree and herself to have dinner with Malcolm and Heidi. She also invites Rory, and, as she had hoped, Heidi is immediately smitten with him, drawn in by the soap opera he stars in. During the dinner, Rory manages to pull Heidi away, and Chance questions her parents about the divorce. Malcolm reveals that Desiree had suggested they experiment sexually with Heidi, and Desiree felt rejected when Heidi preferred Malcolm. Desiree insists that he seduced her, but Malcolm denies it, adding that while attractions may come and go, he loves her.
One night, Chance goes out to a nightclub and meets Sara Tressa DiFiglia, who makes advances on her. They bring Sara back to Chance’s apartment, where they spend the day in bed. Afterward, Sara suggests they take some drugs. Chance declines and removes the drugs. The next morning, Chance leaves her apartment, only to return and find Simon in her bedroom with Sara, who has apparently overdosed; Chance fears that Sara may have died. In a moment of emotional vulnerability, Simon kisses her, and they have sex. They quickly begin to argue over what the sex means, and Simon leaves.
The next morning, Sara is alive and sits at the kitchen table, thanking Chance for giving her a place to sleep and recover. Meanwhile, Simon runs into Jack Andy Hallett, who recognizes him from the nightclub. Realizing Jack is flirting, Simon tells him that Chance has a crush on him and believes he is straight. Jack explains that, although he is gay, he sometimes has sex with women because he needs human contact, and Simon realizes he also needs that human connection.
Simon returns to Chance’s apartment, where she greets him with a warm hug. They apologize for their actions and acknowledge that they are ready to try a relationship.
Chance Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Present-day discovery: a dead woman in Chance's bed” to “Reconciliation and a commitment to a relationship”. 12 events name a place, across 3 locations.
- 1
Present-day discovery: a dead woman in Chance's bed
Chance's morning in Los Angeles is shattered when Simon returns home to find a dead woman in Chance's bed. The shock raises immediate questions about Chance's life and relationships and pulls Simon into a tense, unresolved moment. This incident frames the narrative with a present-day mystery that precedes the backstory.
When:present day Where:Chance's apartment, Los Angeles
- 2
Rory arrives, seeking more than a casual connection
Months earlier, Rory shows up at Chance's door in an emotionally raw state, insisting there is a real connection beyond their one-night stand. Chance negotiates boundaries while avoiding commitment. Rory's arrival signals the fragility of Chance's romantic world.
When:several months earlier Where:Chance's apartment, Los Angeles
- 3
A fabricated past: meeting in a mental institution
To placate Rory, Chance and Rory pretend they met in a mental institution, creating a shared, but false, history. The ruse gives them a sense of closeness without real grounding. Rory grows uncomfortable with the deception and eventually leaves.
When:several months earlier Where:Chance's apartment, Los Angeles
- 4
Desiree's visit looms; a trick to dodge the phone call
Simon tricks Chance into taking a call from her mother by pretending it is a man named Jack she is attracted to. Desiree announces she will visit, heightening Chance's anxiety about family dynamics. The setup begins a chain of schemes to manage her mother’s presence.
When:several months earlier Where:Chance's apartment, Los Angeles
- 5
Weekend role-switch to avoid the visit
To escape spending time with Desiree, Chance persuades Simon to switch roles for the weekend, letting Simon spend time with Desiree while pretending to be Chance. The swap buys time but deepens the tension around control and truth. The stunt foreshadows the unraveling of their carefully constructed lives.
When:several months earlier Where:Chance's apartment, Los Angeles
- 6
Desiree reveals the divorce and Heidi's involvement
Desiree tells Chance that she is leaving Chance's father Malcolm, who is involved with another woman named Heidi. The revelation destabilizes Chance's sense of family and foreshadows more complicated adult relationships. It also pushes Chance to confront an uncertain future.
When:several months earlier Where:Chance's apartment, Los Angeles
- 7
Confronting divorce and a reluctant loan
Chance confesses to Simon about her parents' divorce and the possibility that Desiree may stay with them for a while. Simon begs for $200 to pay off parking tickets, and Chance reluctantly agrees to loan him the money. The loan underscores their precarious household economy and interdependence.
When:several months earlier Where:Chance's apartment, Los Angeles
- 8
Dinner with Desiree, Malcolm, Heidi, and Rory
Chance arranges a dinner with Desiree, Malcolm, Heidi, and Rory, hoping to ease tensions. Heidi is immediately drawn to Rory after watching him on a soap opera. The conversation reveals the divorce dynamics, with Malcolm denying Desiree's insinuations of sexual experimentation while acknowledging his love.
When:several months earlier Where:Chance's apartment, Los Angeles
- 9
Nightclub encounter: Chance meets Sara
Later, Chance goes to a nightclub and meets Sara, who makes advances on her. They bring Sara back to Chance's apartment, where they spend a day together and Sara proposes taking drugs. Chance refuses and later finds Sara leaving the next morning, leaving behind a charged, uncertain aftermath.
When:several months earlier Where:Nightclub, Los Angeles
- 10
Morning after: Sara alive and an evolving dynamic
The next morning, Chance awakens to find Sara alive and grateful for a place to sleep off the drugs. Meanwhile, Simon runs into Jack at the nightclub and learns that Jack is flirting with him. Jack's casual perspective on love and contact unsettles the fragile balance Chance and Simon were trying to maintain.
When:several months earlier Where:Chance's apartment; Nightclub, Los Angeles
- 11
Jack's philosophy and a growing sense of need
Jack explains that he sometimes has sex with women to feel human contact, and Simon realizes he may share that need. The conversation broadens the conversation about identity, desire, and human closeness. This moment acts as a catalyst for change in Simon's outlook.
When:several months earlier Where:Nightclub, Los Angeles
- 12
Reconciliation and a commitment to a relationship
Simon returns to Chance's apartment, and they share apologies for their actions. They acknowledge their mistakes and express willingness to pursue a real relationship. The backstory closes on a hopeful note, with a plan to build something genuine together.
When:several months earlier Where:Chance's apartment, Los Angeles
Who Are the Main Characters in Chance?
8 characters, among them Chance (Amber Benson), Simon (James Marsters) and Rory (Rayder Woods): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- C(
Chance (Amber Benson)
Played by Amber Benson
Chance is a twenty-something slacker living in Los Angeles who relies on a trust fund and shares an apartment with Simon. She spins lies and uses a practiced charm to manage relationships, especially with her mother and potential lovers. Beneath her flirtatious surface, she grapples with commitment and the fear of being emotionally exposed.
- 💞 Romance
- 🧭 Independence
- 🧠 Inner conflict
-
Simon (James Marsters)
Played by James Marsters
Simon is Chance's roommate and an unsuccessful telemarketer who is self-conscious about his body odor. He schemes to influence Chance's social circle and finances while craving true human connection. His guarded exterior slowly gives way to genuine feeling as the plot unfolds.
- 🧠 Insecurity
- 🤝 Relationship dynamics
- 💬 Communication
- R(
Rory (Rayder Woods)
Played by Rayder Woods
Rory is a struggling soap opera actor who had a one-night stand with Chance and pursues a deeper connection that Chance resists. He comes across as emotionally earnest and vulnerable, seeking more than casual sex. His presence unsettles Chance and highlights her commitment fears.
- 💬 Emotional honesty
- 🎭 Industry life
- 💞 Vulnerability
- D(
Desiree (Christine Estabrook)
Played by Christine Estabrook
Desiree is Chance's mother who plans to visit and ultimately reveals that she is leaving Chance's father. She tries to orchestrate family dynamics and tests whether Chance can handle real upheaval. Her visit exposes the fragility of traditional family roles and the longing for stability.
- 👩👧 Family
- 🗣 Communication
- 🌀 Change
- M(
Malcolm (Jeff Ricketts)
Played by Jeff Ricketts
Malcolm is Chance's father who is in a relationship with Heidi and denies sexual betrayal while acknowledging that attractions can come and go. He embodies the tension between commitment and evolving desires. His dialogue reveals the complexities of love and loyalty within a modern relationship.
- 💑 Commitment
- 🧭 Ambiguity
- 🗯 Conversation
- H(
Heidi (Lara Wickes)
Played by Lara Wickes
Heidi is Malcolm's partner who is drawn to Rory after their first meeting and is a viewer of the soap that drives Rory's career. She becomes entangled in the family drama and embodies openness to unconventional choices. Her curiosity about romance and fidelity adds strain to the household dynamics.
- 💬 Curiosity
- 🎭 Drama
- 🌿 Open relationships
- J(
Jack (Andy Hallett)
Played by Andy Hallett
Jack is a nightclub-goer who recognizes Simon and, despite being gay, sometimes has sex with women because he needs human contact. He provides a blunt perspective on intimacy and authenticity. His conversation with Simon helps illuminate the search for connection beyond labels.
- 🌗 Identity
- 🍸 Nightlife
- 🤝 Connection
- S(
Sara (Tressa DiFiglia)
Played by Tressa DiFiglia
Sara is the woman Chance brings home who shares the bed with Chance and Simon and later appears after an apparent drug incident. She survives the event, leaving Chance to reflect on risk and responsibility in relationships. Her presence catalyzes the evolving dynamic between Chance and Simon.
- 💊 Risk
- 🧪 Consequences
- 💞 Encounter
Where and When Is Chance Set?
Chance is set in Los Angeles and California (Contemporary). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Contemporary
The events unfold in a contemporary urban milieu, where dating and casual encounters color romantic expectations. The narrative relies on a non-linear structure with flashbacks, reflecting how memory shapes present choices. The tone is intimate, raw, and attuned to personal relationships in a modern city.
Where
Los Angeles, California
Set in modern Los Angeles, the film uses its urban landscape as a backdrop for casual dating, late-night conversations, and shared apartments. The city’s sprawling, sun-drenched setting contrasts with the characters’ intimate chaos. The apartment Chance and Simon share becomes a microcosm for dependence, deception, and fragile affection.
- 🌆 Urban
- 🎬 City Life
What Are the Themes of Chance?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Romance, Identity and Money.
-
01
Romance
Chance and Simon navigate messy, evolving relationships that blur friendship and attraction. The film explores how desire can both connect and hurt, especially when trust is leveraged for self-protection. Romantic entanglements are tested by deception, financial worries, and family tension, revealing how much risk people take for closeness.
-
02
Identity
Identity is fluid for Chance and Simon, who improvise roles to protect themselves and to test whether they can trust each other. Rory reveals insecurities about connection and performance, challenging the boundaries of romance. The characters’ self-presentation and choices expose how personal identity is negotiated within friendships and dating.
-
03
Money
Chance’s trust fund and the financial pressures of adult life frame many choices and power dynamics in the relationships. Money becomes a tool that enables freedom but also creates vulnerability, shaping when and how characters reveal their true selves. The film uses economic independence to question whether comfort erodes authenticity or simply covers it.
What Kind of Film Is Chance?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A quirky and frantic comedy about a sexually assertive woman bumbling through awkward encounters and family chaos, creating a charmingly messy yet endearing journey toward self-discovery and connection.
- quirky
- awkward
- chaotic
- endearing
- frantic
- unconventional
- search for love
- friendship
- family dysfunction
- self-discovery
Content notes: drug overdose.
Quiz
How well do you remember Chance? Test yourself on the story.
