Genre: Drama/Thriller
Director: Josh and Benny Safdie
Writer: Chad Taylor
Based on the 1969 film Midnight Cowboy
Cast: Alden Ehrenreich, John Boyega, Jeff Goldblum, Maika Monroe
Plot: Tommy Deakin (John Boyega) makes the abrupt decision to quit his job at a local fast food restaurant and leave Georgia behind to pursue his dream of becoming a model in Los Angeles. Using an online classifieds site, Tommy finds a roommate in aspiring writer/director Kitt Merchant (Alden Ehrenreich). Upon moving in, Kitt and Tommy hit it off as Kitt acts as a sort of cultural tour guide for the city.
Tommy’s wide-eyed optimism about the city takes a hit when he is rejected by multiple gigs that he tries for. Kitt tells Tommy not to get down and invites him to go for a night out on the town with him. A night at the club spirals into something more when they join Kitt’s friends on an adventure through the hills. They break into an expensive house for sale that overlooks the city and starting shooting heroin. It is here that Tommy discovers Kitt’s intense drug habit. He stays clean himself.
While on drugs, Kitt becomes much more honest about his outlook on Los Angeles. He tells Tommy that his real dream is to go to Las Vegas and become an entertainer there. Amidst Tommy’s struggles in modeling, Kitt recommends that Tommy get in contact with an old photographer he used to know – Blackjack (Jeff Goldblum). Upon receiving some of Tommy’s modeling shots, Blackjack hires him.
It soon turns out that it is not just modeling. Blackjack is in the erotic photography business and, in his desperation to find work, Tommy is convinced to go along with it. His chemistry with another model, Jade (Maika Monroe), proves to be successful for Blackjack and starts receiving a nice payday for the photo-shoots (which he only gives a fraction of to Tommy). Tommy begins to fall for Jade as their sexual tension builds up on set. Tommy learns that Blackjack used to be one of Tommy’s suppliers and his welcoming nature finally convinces Tommy to try heroin. After having a near panic attack, which is calmed by he and Jade finally having sex, he decides drugs aren’t for him.
Meanwhile, Kitt is descending deeper into drugs and spends most of his days trying to complete his 200-page screenplay. He now rarely leaves the apartment, despite Tommy’s insistence. Blackjack tells Tommy he is impressed with the fanbase he is building and tells him that he thinks he could act too. He then approaches Tommy with the idea of doing filmed porn. Jade tells him that he if he does it, she’ll do it with him, but he is reluctant as this is getting farther and farther away from his dreams (and why he moved to L.A. in the first place). He tells Blackjack he needs a night to sleep on the decision.
Back at the apartment, he decides to read Kitt’s screenplay as Kitt lays passed out on the porch (looking more frail than when we were first introduced to him). After reading it, Tommy becomes excited and wakes Kitt up. He tells him to send the script into an agent and get the film made so he can star in it. Kitt is happy that Tommy likes it and tells him that he will finally try to get it made. Upon arriving on set for another shoot, Tommy tells Blackjack that he will not do the porn and Blackjack becomes furious. He tells he can’t do the modeling either now and fires him on the spot.
As they sleep one night, Kitt and Tommy are jolted awake by a loud banging on the door. Blackjack is on the other side, warning that “this is your last chance”. He tries to open the door but fails. He leaves by shouting “I WARNED YOU”. The next day, Tommy visits Jade at her apartment to inquire about Blackjack’s behavior but she offers nothing. She also seems to have no romantic interest in him anymore and wishes him the best of luck with his future modeling career.
On the way home, Tommy suspects that he is being followed and tries to maneuver home. Upon arriving at the apartment, he notices the trailing car parked outside and spies on the two men inspecting their weapons. He starts to have a meltdown and asks Kitt what to do. Kitt, who is looking sickly and is already heavily on drugs, recognizes the car and also starts to panic. He tells them that the men are likely there to harm the both of them.
Out of desperation, Tommy tells Kitt (who is falling deeper into his high) that they are going on a road trip to Las Vegas. Since Tommy’s car is being tracked, he recommends they sneak out the back and take Kitt’s car. On the drive, Tommy recounts his life story to a passed out Kitt. He starts crying as he says how scared this episode has made him feel and he is hoping this fresh start will lead to the place he’s been looking for. Under the bright lights of the Vegas strip, Tommy parks the car and tries to wake up Kitt up but realizing he is not breathing.
As he starts to panic, he notices Kitt is getting a phone call from Blackjack. He answers but does not say anything. Blackjack, thinking that Kitt is angry at him, apologizes for going to these drastic measures and says that he really wishes that the Tommy deal would have worked out. He goes on to say that Tommy would have made him loads of money if he would have went all the way but the boy was too damn wholesome. He says that he just wants his money and then all will be well again and hangs up.
Tommy puts the pieces together and realizes that Kitt essentially loaned him out to Blackjack so he could earn back Blackjack the money that Kitt owed him. And when Blackjack visited their apartment and "this is your last chance" was directed at Kitt and not Tommy. Tommy checks Kitt’s bag and discovers that he never even tried submitting the screenplay. Disoriented, he leaves Kitt and the car behind and starts walking down the strip. A passerby compliments his rugged look and asks if he ever considered becoming a model. In the background, Kitt's car sits idle - bathed by the glimmering neon lights that shine above.
