In the early 1940s, young Allen Ginsberg enrolls at Columbia University, eager to escape his troubled home life and pursue a career in literature. There, he meets the charismatic and rebellious Lucien Carr, who introduces him to a vibrant world of poetry, parties, and intellectual exploration. Alongside William Burroughs and Jack Kerouac, they form a close-knit group that challenges traditional values and literary conventions. However, as their friendships deepen, they encounter complex emotional entanglements and a darker side of their hedonistic lifestyle.

As tensions rise within the group, questions of loyalty and betrayal emerge, leading to a pivotal and life-altering event. Estranged from his family and grappling with his identity, Ginsberg is forced to confront the consequences of their reckless behavior. The story portrays the coming-of-age journey of a young man finding his voice amidst the tumult of personal and political upheaval, highlighting the sacrifices made in the pursuit of artistic freedom and the bonds that both inspire and complicate the path to self-discovery.