What Is Everything You Want About?
The premise of Everything You Want in 289 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a restless city where the neon‑lit streets echo with the clang of cheap coin and the occasional shouted taunt, a young man drifts through each day with little ambition beyond the next gamble or fist‑fight. Alessandro, a charismatic yet aimless troublemaker, has learned to survive on the edge of the law, his reputation built on quick‑draw bravado and a knack for finding trouble in the most ordinary corners. The world he inhabits feels both gritty and oddly intimate, a place where the clatter of a street market can mask the soft murmurs of forgotten histories.
When a reluctant opportunity surfaces—a modest job as a companion to an elderly poet—Alessandro steps into a life far removed from his usual haunts. The poet, Giorgio, moves through his days with a fragile grasp on reality, his mind slipping like pages in a well‑worn notebook. Their daily walks become a quiet ritual, juxtaposing the bustling cityscape with the measured cadence of verses that flutter between clarity and haze. The tone settles into a contemplative rhythm, blending the raw energy of youthful rebellion with the tender melancholy of fading memory.
As the two men spend time together, an unlikely friendship begins to form, anchored by conversations that oscillate between sharp wit and gentle reminiscence. Alessandro finds himself drawn into the poet’s world of literary longing, while Giorgio discovers a surprising mirror in the restless spirit standing before him. Beneath the surface, hints of a hidden chapter from the poet’s past linger, whispering of secrets that could reshape both their understandings of self and history. The film teases the promise of a journey that is as much about uncovering lost stories as it is about the quiet, transformative moments shared between two disparate souls.
What Happens in Everything You Want?
The complete story of Everything You Want, from the first scene to the last, in 397 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Abby Morrison has lived a sheltered life, her days colored by an imaginary boyfriend named Sy who has stood by her since she was five. As an artist, Abby pours her passion into painting, often depicting Sy and shaping vivid visions of what he looks like, turning her internal world into tangible creations on canvas.
When Abby agrees to tutor her roommate’s cynical cousin Quinn, she unexpectedly discovers a real attraction blooming between them. Quinn’s curiosity quickly tangles with jealousy as he fixates on the idea that Abby has a real boyfriend, not realizing that Sy is a figment of Abby’s imagination. In the face of this internal conflict, Abby tries to keep her feelings for Quinn on hold, choosing to remain loyal to the man she has always imagined rather than risk losing the girl he might become.
Thanksgiving brings both a test and a turning point. Abby’s parents invite Quinn to dinner, and Abby’s mother mentions her imaginary friend in front of him, planting seeds of doubt about Abby’s truthfulness. The blunt reminder that Sy isn’t real unsettles Quinn, who begins to pull away, convinced that Abby has been fabricating a barrier between them to keep their relationship steady. He stops seeing Abby and sinks into a growing misery, not fully understanding what he’s lost or what Abby is wrestling with inside.
Amid the tension, Abby reaches a moment of clarity. She recognizes that she must confront reality and let go of Sy. In a bold, symbolic gesture, she asks Sy to leave for good and, for the first time, joins her parents in their unconventional work—decorating the tombstones they have made for themselves—an eerie reminder of life, memory, and art that runs through her family.
Meanwhile, Quinn, seeking guidance and a chance to repair what’s been broken, reaches out to his roommate and cousin for advice and embarks on a search for Abby. His quest leads him to a club he once took Abby to, and there he encounters a revelation: a portrait Abby has painted of him, with an image in the background of Abby at the rink. This discovery is the moment that brings him face to face with Abby again; he finds her there, and a kiss seals a new, fragile connection between them, signaling that Abby’s journey toward reality might still leave room for love, art, and honesty to coexist.
Everything You Want Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Abby's sheltered life and Sy” to “Aftermath and understanding”. 10 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Abby's sheltered life and Sy
Abby Morrison has lived a sheltered life, clinging to an imaginary boyfriend named Sy who has accompanied her since she was five. She is an artist who paints scenes of Sy and envisions what he looks like, filling her days with fantasy rather than reality. This imaginary companion shapes her sense of self as she grows up.
When:childhood to present Where:Abby's home
- 2
Abby starts tutoring Quinn
Abby agrees to tutor her roommate's cynical cousin Quinn, and their sessions draw them closer. As they spend time together, Abby feels a pull toward him even as she clings to Sy in her mind. The tutoring arrangement becomes the spark for a complicated attraction.
When:early in the story Where:shared apartment
- 3
Quinn grows jealous of Abby's 'boyfriend'
Quinn becomes jealous, assuming Abby has a real boyfriend, not knowing that Sy is only a figment of her imagination. He worries that he is competing with someone who doesn't exist. His insecurity starts to color their interactions.
When:early in their relationship Where:various locations (home, campus)
- 4
Abby chooses Sy over her growing attraction
Abby remains focused on Sy and keeps her distance from Quinn, choosing fantasy over the budding real-world connection. She spends her energy defending the world she has created rather than exploring a relationship. The tension between fantasy and reality begins to strain both of them.
When:early stage Where:studio/home
- 5
Thanksgiving reveals the truth
During Thanksgiving at Abby's parents' house, her mother mentions the imaginary friend, exposing the truth behind Abby's stories. Quinn realizes that Abby's 'boyfriend' might not be real and interprets it as an obstacle for their relationship. The family moment shifts the dynamic between Abby and Quinn.
When:Thanksgiving Where:Abby's parents' house
- 6
Quinn pulls back and grows miserable
After the Thanksgiving revelation, Quinn stops meeting with Abby and retreats. He becomes increasingly miserable as he distances himself from the fragile connection they had. The absence leaves a void that hints at unresolved feelings.
When:after Thanksgiving Where:various (clubs, apartments)
- 7
Abby confronts reality and leans into family work
Realizing she cannot sustain Sy forever, Abby asks Sy to leave and begins to face reality. For the first time, she joins her parents in their unusual work of decorating the tombstones they made for themselves. The act marks a turning point in her self-image as she exchanges fantasy for family ritual.
When:after Thanksgiving Where:Abby's home and family property
- 8
Quinn searches for Abby
Guided by advice from his roommate and cousin, Quinn resolves to find Abby. He revisits places they’ve been together, including a club they once shared, hoping to reconnect or understand what happened. The search sets the stage for a crucial breakthrough.
When:after Abby begins facing reality Where:club they once visited
- 9
Portrait and a sign at the rink
While hunting for Abby, Quinn encounters a portrait Abby painted of him, and he notices an image of Abby herself in the background near the rink. The artwork becomes a clue that pulls him toward the actual location where Abby is. The visual discovery deepens the mystery of her life beyond Sy.
When:during the search Where:the club and the rink
- 10
The reunion at the rink and a kiss
Quinn finally finds Abby at the rink, spurred by the clues he uncovered. They confront the complicated history between them, and he leans in to kiss her, bridging the gap between fantasy and reality. The moment signals a shift in their relationship and potential new beginnings.
When:finale of pursuit Where:the rink
- 11
Aftermath and understanding
The kiss marks a turning point where Abby's world begins to move toward reality while still acknowledging her feelings for Quinn. They navigate the truth about Sy and what their future might hold, with the possibility of a real relationship emerging from the earlier fantasy. The story circles back to a more grounded emotional center.
When:post-climax
Who Are the Main Characters in Everything You Want?
3 characters, among them Abby Morrison, Quinn and Sy (Imagininary Boyfriend): who each one is and the part they play in the story.
- AM
Abby Morrison
A sheltered artist who paints visions of her imaginary boyfriend Sy. She uses fantasy as a shield against loneliness, but her growing attraction to Quinn challenges her to confront reality and pursue authentic connections.
- 🎨 Creative
- 💭 Imaginative
- 💔 Emotionally vulnerable
- Q
Quinn
Quinn is Abby's roommate's cynical cousin who becomes romantically involved with her. He grows jealous as he realizes Abby's life partly exists in a fantasy, testing his trust and their budding connection.
- 💬 Cynical
- 💘 Romantic tension
- S(
Sy (Imagininary Boyfriend)
Abby's imaginary boyfriend who exists only in her paintings and mind. He represents escape from loneliness and a safe space where she can shape a life without consequences.
- 💭 Imaginary friend
Where and When Is Everything You Want Set?
Everything You Want is set in Abby's home, a local club, a skating rink and college campus (Present day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present day
Set in contemporary times, the story centers on modern dating, imagination, and the emotional navigation of growing up. The film uses familiar social spaces like clubs and parties to explore how fantasy can both soothe and complicate real relationships.
Where
Abby's home, a local club, a skating rink, college campus
Most scenes unfold at a comfortable family home, with key moments in a local club and at a skating rink. The settings highlight Abby's sheltered life and her retreat into painting and fantasy.
- 🏠 Domestic setting
- 🎨 Artistic milieu
- 🌆 Contemporary city life
What Are the Themes of Everything You Want?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Reality vs Fantasy, Romantic Tension and Self-Discovery.
-
01
Reality vs Fantasy
Abby's imaginary boyfriend Sy provides emotional refuge but blocks genuine connection with others. The fantasy offers control and escape, yet it isolates her from friends and potential romance. As the relationship with Quinn develops, the tension reveals the costs of living in a dream. The film asks what it means to grow up and face the truth.
-
02
Romantic Tension
Quinn's attraction to Abby becomes entangled with jealousy and mistrust when he thinks Sy is real. Abby's choice to protect her fantasy over a real relationship creates a painful rift. The story uses romance to explore vulnerability, honesty, and the push-pull of connection.
-
03
Self-Discovery
Abby confronts the need to choose authenticity over illusion. Joining her parents in their 'weird work' signals a step toward independence. Her paintings, once a private refuge, become a catalyst for personal growth.
What Kind of Film Is Everything You Want?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A charmingly whimsical coming-of-age story that balances lighthearted romantic comedy with a gentle exploration of letting go of childhood fantasies to embrace reality.
- whimsical
- lighthearted
- romantic
- playful
- introspective
- nostalgic
- coming of age
- romantic comedy
- self-discovery
- imagination
Quiz
How well do you remember Everything You Want? Test yourself on the story.
