In a public school in New York, Henry Barthes is a substitute teacher facing a draining and emotionally overwhelming routine. With a chaotic personal life, Henry feels like a distant observer of his surroundings, unable to connect with his students, who are worn out by an educational system that seems indifferent to them and the adults who should be guiding them. As the school year progresses, he finds himself involved in the lives of several teenagers dealing with serious issues: bullying, family troubles, and the hopelessness of their environment.
Meanwhile, Henry must also confront his own emotional scars; he carries a complicated past that has led him to a life marked by isolation. However, his arrival at the school coincides with that of a young prostitute seeking help, which ignites in him a desire for redemption and connection. Through his relationship with this girl and the unexpected support of his colleagues, he begins to question his role as an educator and the possibility of forming meaningful connections in a world that seems to be crumbling around him.
As he confronts his own demons, he becomes a beacon of hope for those around him, even though his path to healing is not without obstacles. This poignant story explores the struggle to find meaning and humanity amidst disillusionment and apathy.