On New Year's Eve in the Bay Area, Oscar Grant is a 22-year-old man with a troubled past attempting to make positive changes in his life. He resolves to be a better partner to his girlfriend Sophina and a more present father to their young daughter Tatiana. Oscar's efforts to lead a more stable and responsible life are complicated by his past connections, his volatile relationships, and the socioeconomic challenges facing a young African American man. Throughout the day, he encounters family, friends, enemies, and strangers, each interaction revealing facets of his complex character.

As the day unfolds, Oscar navigates the ups and downs of his relationships and reflects on the direction of his life. His mother's birthday prompts him to consider the importance of family, while his run-ins with former prison acquaintances remind him of the life he wants to leave behind. The mundanity of Oscar's day-to-day activities stands in stark contrast to the underlying tension created by his efforts to reform. This tension peaks when Oscar and his friends decide to take the train to San Francisco to celebrate the coming of the New Year, setting the stage for a fateful encounter that would profoundly affect all their lives.