A group of gay friends gather in a New York City apartment to celebrate Harold’s birthday. Michael, the host and a struggling writer, prepares for the party with anxious energy, while Donald, his friend, watches his nervousness unfold. The guests include Larry and Hank, a couple struggling with differing views on monogamy; Emory, an effeminate decorator; Bernard, an African-American library worker; and the birthday guest of honor, Harold, who is acerbic yet self-assured. As the night progresses, Harold arrives fashionably late. Tensions arise with the unexpected arrival of Alan, Michael's potentially closeted college friend. Alan’s surprise appearance adds to the evening's volatile mix, as personal secrets and buried emotions bubble to the surface.

The situation escalates when Michael initiates a cruel party game where guests must call the one person they truly love and confess their feelings. The game leads to raw confrontations, revealing deep-seated insecurities and hidden truths. The mood swings rapidly between campy humor, poignant recollections, and searing hostility. Through a series of confessions and conflicts, the relationships between the men are tested, exposing the societal pressures and personal pains they each endure. The evening ultimately becomes a cathartic exploration of identity and friendship, leaving each character profoundly impacted by the night's events.