What Is The R.M. About?
The premise of The R.M. in 279 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the quiet, tightly‑woven world of a Utah LDS community, Jared Phelps steps off the plane after a two‑year mission in Wyoming with a head full of purpose and a heart full of expectation. He envisions a seamless transition back to the life he left behind—reuniting with a supportive girlfriend, slipping back into a familiar job, and marching toward a degree at Brigham Young University. The film opens with the dissonance between those bright hopes and the stark reality that greets him: an empty airport, a house no longer his, and a family scene that has already begun to shift.
The tone balances gentle humor with earnest introspection, blending moments of quirky surprise—like an unexpected karate kick in the shower—with the weighty undercurrents of faith, family, and personal identity. As Jared navigates this altered landscape, he confronts the uncomfortable truth that the roadmap he once trusted is now riddled with detours. The community’s expectations, his own sense of duty, and the lingering lessons from his missionary service create a compelling internal tug‑of‑war, prompting him to question what “doing the right thing” truly means when life refuses to stay tidy.
Amid the upheaval, Jared meets Kelly Powers, the daughter of a respected church authority, whose presence adds both warmth and a subtle challenge to his evolving priorities. Their tentative connection hints at new possibilities, suggesting that relationships forged in moments of uncertainty can become anchors for growth. The film’s atmosphere feels both intimate and expansive, inviting viewers to feel the pulse of a world where faith and everyday hardships intersect, and to wonder how a young man will chart his path when the future he imagined vanishes before his eyes.
What Happens in The R.M.?
The complete story of The R.M., from the first scene to the last, in 529 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Jared Phelps returns home from his two-year mission in Wyoming to a world that looks very different from the one he left just two years ago. The film opens with a crowded airport send-off, but when he arrives back, there’s no one waiting for him. The homecoming is chaotic: he discovers the family has moved, the house is now occupied by a foreign exchange student from Tonga, and the new homeowner greets him with a karate kick in the shower, a moment he later describes as being >Kung-fued by a naked ninja<. The montage of instant photographs from his mission slides into the present, showing him climbing from a fresh “greenie” to district leader, then zone leader, and finally an assistant to the mission president, only to face a far different reality back home.
Back under his own roof, the surprises don’t stop. His mother is pregnant, and his girlfriend—who promised to wait for him—is marrying someone else in two weeks. The ring he bought at a jewelry store cannot be returned, and the job he hoped to find after his return has evaporated into a new internet enterprise run by his former employer. The only immediate employment option points abroad, offering the chance to mine diamonds in South Africa.
As if that wasn’t enough, Jared struggles to restart his life: he’s rejected by Brigham Young University and drifts through a string of odd jobs, even considering selling knives to make ends meet. Amid the upheaval, he meets Kelly Powers, Britani Bateman, the daughter of Elder H. Ronald Powers, Richard R. Dayhuff, a general authority whose presence makes Jared feel both awe and awkwardness in equal measure. On a date with Kelly, he navigates the social landmines of church life, family expectations, and a surprising shift in his own priorities. Around this time, his mother goes into labor and welcomes a baby boy into the family, adding another layer of change to Jared’s world.
As trouble compounds, boils break out on his skin and he’s swept up in a legal scrape sparked by a friend’s actions. This leads to his firing from his job and the removal of his role as the elders quorum president, forcing him to confront a difficult choice: lie to protect his friend or tell the truth and risk jail for both of them. He chooses honesty, and while he’s ultimately cleared of the charges, his friend must serve some jail time.
In the aftermath, Jared speaks at church about how his mission’s lessons reshaped his life in unexpected ways. He decides to pursue night classes and reapply to BYU in the fall, keeping hope alive for a fresh start. As he continues to date Kelly, the couple is seen together in a jewelry shop, exchanging his old ring for a new one as they become engaged, signaling a future built on reconciliation, faith, and a more grounded sense of possibility. Along the way, fringe characters and moments—such as Grandma Phelps and Sister Porterhouse—thread through the narrative, underscoring the film’s themes of faith, family, and personal growth. Marlene Arnold and Michael Birkeland appear in roles that anchor the community’s support around this young man’s journey.
The R.M. Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Homecoming shock” to “Ending with hopeful resolution”. 12 events name a place, across 12 locations.
- 1
Homecoming shock
The film opens with Jared returning from a two-year mission to a world that has moved on without him. The homecoming is chaotic: there is no crowd waiting at the airport, and the house has been moved out from under him to a new occupant—a Tonga exchange student. To top it off, the new homeowner greets him with a karate kick in the shower, a moment he later calls being Kung-fued by a naked ninja.
When:Upon return Where:Airport and home
- 2
Sudden family and life upheaval
Back home, Jared learns that his mother is pregnant, his girlfriend is about to marry someone else in two weeks, and the ring he bought cannot be returned. His job prospects have vanished into a new online business run by his former employer, and the only immediate option abroad would be to mine diamonds in South Africa. The combination of personal and logistical shocks sets the tone for his stalled re-entry.
When:Shortly after return Where:Home
- 3
Career uncertainty and college setback
He is rejected by Brigham Young University and drifts through a string of odd jobs. At times he considers selling knives to make ends meet, trying to patch together a future from uncertain opportunities. The sense of being adrift worsens as expectations from his mission life clash with the reality at home.
When:Soon after return Where:BYU admissions / local job market
- 4
Meeting Kelly Powers
Amid the upheaval he meets Kelly Powers, the daughter of Elder Powers, a figure whose presence brings both awe and awkwardness. On a date with Kelly, he navigates the social landmines of church life and shifting priorities. Her involvement introduces a glimmer of possibility in his unsettled world.
When:During the dating arc Where:Date / church social
- 5
Mother's labor and the new baby
During these changes, Jared’s mother goes into labor and the family welcomes a baby boy. The arrival reshapes the household dynamics and adds a new layer of responsibility to Jared’s already complicated life. The event underscores how life continues to move forward despite personal turmoil.
When:During upheaval Where:Home / hospital
- 6
Health scare and legal trouble
Boils break out on his skin, adding a physical toll to his stress, and a legal scrape sparked by a friend’s actions lands him in trouble. He loses his job and is removed from his role as the elders quorum president, compounding his sense of failure. The double blow pushes him toward a pivotal moral choice.
When:During the upheaval Where:Work / church
- 7
The choice to tell the truth
Faced with protecting a friend or risking jail for both of them, Jared chooses honesty. His decision leads to his friend’s jail time while Jared is ultimately cleared. The ordeal tests his values and cements a commitment to truth-telling over easy protection.
When:After the incident Where:Church / courtroom
- 8
Church testimony
Jared speaks at church about how his mission lessons reshaped his life in unexpected ways. The address marks a turning point, signaling his willingness to rebuild with faith. The speech resonates with the congregation and reinforces the theme of growth through adversity.
When:Following the incident Where:Church
- 9
Return to study and new plans
He begins night classes and resolves to reapply to BYU in the fall. The plan signals a commitment to a fresh start despite setbacks. He continues to date Kelly and keeps a hopeful outlook for the future.
When:Fall Where:Night classes / BYU admissions
- 10
Engagement and ring exchange
As his relationship with Kelly deepens, they are seen in a jewelry shop exchanging his old ring for a new one as they become engaged. The moment consolidates their commitment and marks a hopeful future. It stands in contrast to the earlier turmoil, signaling growth and reconciliation.
When:Engagement moment Where:Jewelry shop
- 11
Community support threads through the journey
Fringe characters like Grandma Phelps and Sister Porterhouse appear, anchoring the community’s warmth and steadiness around Jared. Their presence underscores the film’s themes of faith, family, and shared support. They help keep the protagonist grounded as he navigates his new path.
When:Throughout Where:Church / Community
- 12
Ending with hopeful resolution
The film closes on a note of hopeful possibility, suggesting that Jared’s mission lessons, honesty, and perseverance have reshaped his life. He looks toward a grounded future with the BYU reapplication underway, ongoing relationship with Kelly, and a stabilizing sense of purpose. The final image emphasizes faith, family, and personal growth.
When:Ending Where:Various
Who Are the Main Characters in The R.M.?
5 characters, among them Jared Phelps, Kelly Powers (Britani Bateman) and Elder H. Ronald Powers (Richard R. Dayhuff): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 4 of them link to the actor’s page.
- JP
Jared Phelps
A returned missionary whose world is upended on his homecoming: the family has moved, a Tongan exchange student occupies the house, and a promising job evaporates. He grapples with identity, romance, and the temptation to cut corners as he tries to restart his life. Through honesty and persistence, he redefines his future and becomes engaged to Kelly.
- 🎯 Determination
- 🧭 Identity
- 🤝 Integrity
- KP
Kelly Powers (Britani Bateman)
Played by Britani Bateman
Daughter of Elder Powers, she becomes Jared's anchor and the focal point of his reintegration. She promises to wait for him but faces her own life changes, including a pending marriage to someone else before their relationship deepens again. The couple ultimately exchanges rings and becomes engaged.
- 💞 Love
- 🤝 Relationship
- 🕊️ Faith
- EH
Elder H. Ronald Powers (Richard R. Dayhuff)
Played by Richard R. Dayhuff
A general authority whose presence looms large in church life, influencing expectations and Jared's sense of duty. He embodies leadership within the community and adds gravity to the personal and family tests the protagonist faces.
- 🏛️ Church
- 🧭 Leadership
- 👨👦 Family
- GP
Grandma Phelps (Marlene Arnold)
Played by Marlene Arnold
A warm, stabilizing figure in the extended family who offers support and perspective during the upheaval of the homecoming. Her presence emphasizes continuity, memory, and the value of intergenerational bonds.
- 👵 Grandmother
- 💖 Family Wisdom
- 🗺️ Community
- SP
Sister Porterhouse (Michael Birkeland)
Played by Michael Birkeland
A church member and community figure who threads through the film's depiction of church life and support networks. She represents the everyday roles people play in sustaining faith communities during personal upheaval.
- 🙏 Church
- 🤝 Community
Where and When Is The R.M. Set?
The R.M. is set in Wyoming Mission, Phelps Family Home, Jewelry Store, Airport and Church. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Wyoming Mission, Phelps Family Home, Jewelry Store, Airport, Church
The story unfolds across several key locations that ground Jared's transition from mission life to civilian life. The Wyoming mission serves as the spiritual setting that frames his past decisions, while the Phelps family home becomes the center of upheaval and change. Distinct scenes move from a crowded airport send-off to intimate moments in a jewelry shop and a busy church environment, tying personal drama to community spaces.
- 🗺️ Wyoming Mission
- 🏠 Family Home
- 💎 Jewelry Store
- ✈️ Airport
- ⛪ Church
What Are the Themes of The R.M.?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Faith, Family and Honesty.
-
01
Faith
Faith guides Jared through the upheaval of homecoming, reminding him of his commitments and shaping his choices. The film places religious life at the center of family and community expectations, testing and refining his beliefs. Through trials and honesty, faith becomes a compass for personal growth rather than a simple backdrop.
-
02
Family
Family relationships anchor the narrative as a transformed household greets Jared: a pregnant mother, a future baby, and a girlfriend who moves on. The story explores belonging, obligation, and reconciliation within a tight-knit community. Family dynamics drive much of the emotional arc and the healing that follows.
-
03
Honesty
Honesty tests Jared during a legal scrape sparked by a friend's action, forcing him to choose truth over convenience. He ultimately accepts consequences for himself and refuses to shield his friend, highlighting integrity as a core value. The resolution hinges on candid choices rather than easy deflection.
-
04
Change
The film traces a sharp reentry into life after mission service, with plans overturned and new opportunities appearing. Jared's path moves from disappointment to growth as he rethinks education and career, ultimately rejoining life with renewed purpose. The narrative emphasizes adaptation, resilience, and the possibility of a second chance.
What Kind of Film Is The R.M.?
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 lighthearted and gently comedic look at the awkward reintegration of a returned missionary, mixing frustrating setbacks with hopeful romance and a tone of faithful optimism.
- comedic
- awkward
- hopeful
- lighthearted
- frustrated
- romantic
- coming of age
- religious faith
- post-mission life
- personal growth
Content notes: mild legal trouble.
Quiz
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