Pio, a fourteen-year-old boy living in a small Romani community in Calabria, Italy, is eager to grow up and prove his maturity. Surrounded by a mix of family dynamics and criminal activities, he idolizes his older brother Cosimo while absorbing the harsh realities of his environment. Pio traverses through the underbelly of his society, participating in petty thefts and hustling alongside older men. His close relationship with Ayiva, a Burkinabé immigrant, adds another layer to his coming-of-age journey, exposing him to the complexities of inclusion and exclusion in an ethnic mosaic.

When Cosimo suddenly disappears, Pio takes on more responsibility, stepping deeper into the adult roles he has long coveted. Tensions escalate as he confronts the difficult choices that come with balancing family loyalty against personal ambition. As he navigates these challenges, Pio's determination to protect his family and prove his worth collides with the stark, often brutal reality of his world. Striving to reconcile these clashing aspirations underscores his poignant transition from boyhood innocence to premature adulthood, ultimately shaping his identity amidst a backdrop of cultural and existential dilemmas.