In the remote and majestic jungle of New Zealand, a rebellious boy named Ricky Baker, who has been sent to live with a foster family, feels like a fish out of water. Drawn to adventure and with an indomitable spirit, Ricky struggles to adapt to the strict rules of his new life with the loving yet tough Bella and her grumpy husband, Hec. However, happiness is fleeting: Bella's unexpected death leaves Ricky and Hec in a tense and complicated situation.
When the child protection system decides that Ricky must be returned to the city, the young boy escapes into the woods, preferring to face the wild rather than return to a home he doesn't consider his own. Upon learning that Ricky has disappeared, Hec, an expert hunter who has no idea how to care for a child, is forced to track him down. What begins as a conventional search soon turns into an epic cat-and-mouse adventure, as the authorities launch a manhunt, convinced that the boy has been kidnapped.
As they are pursued, the relationship between Hec and Ricky evolves from a fragile coexistence to a deep friendship. Throughout the journey, both will learn what family, loyalty, and the courage to face one’s fears truly mean. With humor and emotion, this story captures the essence of growing up and embracing life in all its unpredictable forms.