The narrative unfolds in a Southern Texas family in the 1950s, focusing on Jack O'Brien, the eldest of three brothers, as he tries to reconcile his childhood experiences with his adult existence in the modern world. The story juxtaposes the young Jack's growth and the evolution of life on Earth, exploring themes of innocence, faith, loss, and the complex relationship between nature and grace through the lens of his relationships with his parents. His father represents nature, a figure of authority and discipline, pushing his sons towards achievement and resilience. In contrast, his mother embodies grace, offering unconditional love, gentleness, and nurturing, providing the children with a sense of wonder and safety.

As Jack matures, the conflicting philosophies of his parents lead him to question the presence of both love and cruelty in the world, struggling to find his path through the innocence of childhood towards the disillusionments of adulthood. Moving back and forth through different timelines, the film delves into Jack's efforts to reconcile the dichotomies in his life, including the eternal conflict between the way of nature—self-serving and survival-driven—and the way of grace—selfless love and forgiveness. This existential contemplation is interwoven with awe-inspiring visuals of the natural world and the cosmos, suggesting a deeper, interconnected story of creation, destruction, and the cyclical nature of life, all while he navigates his strained relationship with his father and his longing for a lost innocence.