What Is Going the Distance About?
The premise of Going the Distance in 281 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the heat of a bustling New York summer, Erin Langford arrives as a sharp‑tongued journalism graduate eager to make her mark at a city newspaper. The city’s relentless rhythm—crowded cafés, late‑night bars, and the ever‑present hum of ambition—provides a vibrant backdrop for her quick wit and candid honesty. When she crosses paths with Garrett Livingston, a laid‑back record‑label employee who balances his love of music with a playful, slightly reckless streak, a chance encounter quickly sparks a flirtatious rivalry that feels both effortless and electric.
Their connection deepens amid the city’s neon glow and the intimate, impromptu moments that only a summer can afford: sunrise games, late‑night conversations, and the kind of spontaneous competition that reveals both strengths and vulnerabilities. The tone sways between light‑hearted banter and the lingering undercurrent of something more profound, capturing the exhilaration of a romance that feels both newly discovered and surprisingly familiar.
As the weeks slip by, the pair finds themselves navigating the pressures of budding careers, personal aspirations, and the inevitable question of what comes after the fleeting season ends. The film’s mood stays warm and breezy, with a soundtrack that mirrors the pulse of the city while underscoring the characters’ internal rhythms. The chemistry between Erin and Garrett is painted with a mixture of humor, tenderness, and the subtle tension of two people who must decide whether their summer spark can withstand the distance that looms on the horizon.
Against a backdrop of bustling streets and quiet corners, the story invites viewers to wonder how far the pull of a shared moment can stretch when life’s trajectories begin to diverge, leaving the future open to possibility and the present brimming with promise.
What Happens in Going the Distance?
The complete story of Going the Distance, from the first scene to the last, in 587 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Erin Langford is a graduate journalism student who lands a summer internship at a New York City newspaper. One night at a bar, she meets Garrett, who interrupts her Centipede game. They drink together and end up at his place, where they smoke marijuana and have sex while Garrett’s roommate Dan DJs their hookup. The next morning, before she can leave, Erin agrees to have breakfast with him. Telling him she is only in the city for six weeks, they agree to keep it casual.
Erin and Garrett soon develop real feelings for each other, and she tries to get a permanent position at the paper. Working for a record label, Garrett is assigned to manage a band he dislikes, and he begins to hate his job.
When Erin’s six weeks are over, she and Garrett find it difficult to let go. After driving her to the airport and saying goodbye, Garrett runs after her, admitting that he is crazy about her and wants to have a long-distance relationship, to which she agrees.
Over the following months, Erin and Garrett spend their free time trying to figure out when they can see each other. He gives her a surprise visit on Thanksgiving. After an emotional reunion, they go to Erin’s sister Corinne’s house, where she is staying, and start to have passionate sex on the dining room table. Unbeknownst to them, Erin’s brother-in-law Phil is having dinner, and Corinne walks in on the awkward scene. The next day, they see The Boxer Rebellion perform, but Garrett is jealous Erin is friends with Damon, Damon, a handsome bartender, and eventually has to return to NYC.
In January, Erin calls her former boss, but they are not hiring. Unable to find comfort in a phone conversation with Garrett, she gets drunk with Damon and almost kisses him, but goes home. Her professor recommends her for a position at the San Francisco Chronicle and she goes for an interview. Garrett tries to have phone sex with Erin, but it ends up being awkward, leaving both feeling ridiculous.
A month later, while Erin is packing for a weekend in NYC, she gets a call from the Chronicle and is offered the job. Upon arriving in New York, she tells Garrett about the job offer, blindsiding him with the news. Their happy reunion quickly devolves into a fight, causing Erin to spend the first night of her trip at a friend’s. They make up the next day, and he calls her a week later saying he wants her to move to NYC, live together and start afresh. She agrees, but while visiting San Francisco to sort things out, a conversation with Corinne makes Garrett realize he should not be the reason Erin turns down the job, and they part ways after an emotional conversation and a long hug at the airport.
Six months later, Erin’s career is going well, having written her first front-page story. Garrett has not been with anyone since her, and quits his job to manage The Boxer Rebellion. He sends Erin tickets to their show and she goes, unaware he is the band manager. At the concert he reveals he has moved to Los Angeles, only several hours from San Francisco, and they seize another chance at a relationship. Late that night they go back to Corinne’s, interrupting her and Phil dry humping on the dining room table. The film ends as Erin’s niece, Maya, enters during the awkward moment, and they all scream
Maya! Statue!
to freeze.
Going the Distance Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Erin meets Garrett and begins a casual arrangement” to “A reunion at Corinne's and a chaotic ending”. 11 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Erin meets Garrett and begins a casual arrangement
Erin, a graduate journalism student interning in New York City, meets Garrett at a bar after he interrupts her Centipede game. They drink together and end up at his place, where they smoke marijuana and have sex while Garrett's roommate Dan DJs their hookup. The morning after, Erin agrees to breakfast and they decide to keep the relationship casual since she is in the city for six weeks.
When:First weeks of internship Where:New York City bar
- 2
Erin earns praise for a piece and a potential future
Erin and Garrett's feelings deepen as she writes a well-received article for the paper. She is told to contact the newsroom in January about possible openings, signaling a potential permanent position. The balance between romance and career begins to complicate their lives.
When:During internship Where:New York City newspaper office
- 3
Garrett dislikes his job at the record label
Garrett is assigned to manage a band he dislikes, which fuels his growing resentment toward his job. The relationship with Erin becomes more intense, even as work stress strains him. He starts to question his path while trying to maintain the romance.
When:During internship Where:Record label office
- 4
Six-week internship ends; goodbye at the airport
Erin finishes her six-week internship and Garrett drives her to the airport for departure. In a tearful moment, he confesses he is crazy about her and wants a long-distance relationship. Erin agrees to try despite the distance.
When:End of six-week internship Where:Airport
- 5
Thanksgiving reunion and a fevered night at Corinne's
Over the following months, they struggle to stay connected, but Garrett surprises Erin with a Thanksgiving visit. After an emotional reunion, they go to Erin's sister Corinne's house, where they have passionate sex on the dining room table, interrupted when Corinne walks in. The moment cements the intensity of their relationship.
When:Thanksgiving Where:Corinne's house
- 6
Boxer Rebellion concert and jealousy
The next day they attend a Boxer Rebellion concert, and Garrett grows jealous of Erin's friendship with Damon, a handsome bartender. The tension from jealousy strains their relationship as Garrett ultimately has to return to NYC. The distance complicates their efforts to stay close.
When:Shortly after Thanksgiving Where:Concert venue
- 7
January's disappointments and late-night awkwardness
In January, Erin calls her former newsroom to check for openings but there are none. She ends up getting drunk with Damon and almost kisses him, but goes home. Her professor recommends her for the San Francisco Chronicle, and she goes for an interview; Garrett tries a phone-sex call, but it comes across as awkward and embarrassing.
When:January Where:New York City
- 8
Chronicle offer and a blindsiding reunion
A month later, Erin is offered a job at the Chronicle. She returns to NYC to tell Garrett in person, blindsiding him with the news. A tense reunion leads to a fight, and Erin spends the night with a friend to sleep things off.
When:One month after January Where:New York City
- 9
Decision to move forward spurs a painful airport farewell
They reconcile and he suggests Erin move to NYC to live together, but a visit to San Francisco to sort things out makes Garrett realize he shouldn’t be the reason she turns down the job. They share a long, emotional hug before parting at the airport.
When:During SF visit Where:San Francisco and airport
- 10
Six months later: career success and a move toward reunion
Six months later, Erin has her first front-page story and is thriving. Garrett has not dated anyone since her and quits his job to manage The Boxer Rebellion. He sends Erin tickets to their show, and she attends, unaware that he is the band's manager.
When:Six months later Where:Los Angeles
- 11
A reunion at Corinne's and a chaotic ending
After the show, Garrett reveals he has moved to Los Angeles and the two decide to try again. They return to Corinne's house, interrupting Corinne and Phil dry-humping on the dining room table. Erin's niece Maya enters and everyone shouts 'Maya! Statue!' to freeze the moment in the family chaos.
When:Late night Where:Corinne's house dining room
Who Are the Main Characters in Going the Distance?
3 characters, among them Erin Langford, Garrett and Dan: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Erin Langford
Played by Drew Barrymore
A graduate journalism student interning at a New York City newspaper. Ambitious and romantically inclined, she pursues a bright career while navigating a sudden, challenging long-distance relationship with Garrett. Her drive to prove herself professionally drives much of the plot and project choices.
- 🗞️ Journalist
-
Garrett
Played by Justin Long
An employee at a record label who is assigned to manage a band he dislikes, leading to professional frustration. He falls deeply for Erin and struggles with balancing love and career across the distance. Ultimately, he makes choices about his life and relationship in light of long-term commitment.
- 🎵 Music industry
-
Dan
Played by Ron Livingston
Garrett's roommate who DJs their hookup, providing a humorous and sometimes awkward backdrop to Erin and Garrett’s relationship. His presence and actions influence the couple’s dynamic and the pace of their decisions.
- 🎧 DJ
Where and When Is Going the Distance Set?
Going the Distance is set in New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles (2010s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
2010s
Set in contemporary times, the film follows a modern, city-centric romance driven by daily communications and career ambitions. The storyline spans several months, from a six-week NYC internship to extended periods apart and occasional cross-country reunions. The urban clock of work schedules, deadlines, and social lives shapes the couple’s decisions and timing.
Where
New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles
The story unfolds across three major cities. It begins in New York City, where Erin launches her journalism internship and the romance with Garrett begins amid a fast-paced newspaper world. The action then moves to San Francisco for love, career decisions, and visits that test their commitment. The finale shifts to Los Angeles as they reassess their future and the possibility of a long-distance reunion.
- 🗽 New York City
- 🌆 Urban life
- 🎬 Media & entertainment
What Are the Themes of Going the Distance?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Long-Distance, Career vs Romance and Complications & Reconciliation.
-
01
Long-Distance
Erin and Garrett begin with a casual, cross-country setup that quickly deepens into genuine affection. Their relationship endures through phone calls, visits, and emotional vulnerability despite the miles between them. Distance becomes a test of trust, commitment, and the willingness to adapt life plans for love.
-
02
Career vs Romance
Both leads chase professional opportunities that could pull them apart: Erin seeks a permanent journalism position while Garrett wrestles with job dissatisfaction at a record label. The choices about where to live and how to balance work with personal life create ongoing tension. The narrative probes whether love can coexist with ambitious, evolving careers.
-
03
Complications & Reconciliation
Friendships, family moments, and awkward situations inject humor and friction into the romance. Breaks, reunions, and misunderstandings test the couple’s resolve and willingness to grow. The story culminates in a second chance that hinges on self-awareness and a shared desire to redefine their path together.
What Kind of Film Is Going the Distance?
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 breezy and relatable modern romantic comedy that captures the playful awkwardness and hopeful determination of a couple trying to make a long-distance relationship work.
- romantic
- playful
- awkward
- hopeful
- casual
- relatable
- long distance relationship
- romantic comedy
- career vs love
- young adults
Content notes: sexual content.
Quiz
How well do you remember Going the Distance? Test yourself on the story.
Where to Watch Going the Distance
Stream it on Apple TV, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 2
Apple TV 
Apple TV Amazon Channel 
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
