Helen Memel, an unconventional teenager with a rebellious spirit, pushes societal norms and confronts taboos head-on. She has an unabashed and provocative attitude towards her own body and sexuality, indulging in a life of experimental hygiene habits and explicit personal explorations. This fearless stance often shocks those around her, including her friend Corinna. Helen’s nonconformist lifestyle finds her constantly at odds with established standards of cleanliness and propriety, which are starkly evident when she contracts an anal fissure from shaving. Her subsequent hospitalization reveals the complexities of her character as she interacts with the caring nurse Robert.

During her hospital stay, Helen recounts memories from her chaotic childhood, marked by her parents' tumultuous divorce and her mother's erratic behavior. These flashbacks offer insight into Helen's psyche and the deep-rooted causes of her rebellious demeanor. As she grows increasingly close to Robert, Helen embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Her connections with those in the hospital become a means of seeking the familial unity she lost, striving to mend her broken family bonds amidst the unfolding chaos of her own life choices.