In Edge of Seventeen, Eric Hunter is a closeted gay teenager who is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality in the conservative town of Sandusky, Ohio. He spends his summer working at a local amusement park in the fast food restaurant, where he befriends a group of misfits who work in the same department, including a sarcastic girl named Angie and a flamboyant guy named Rod.
As Eric begins to explore his sexuality and develop feelings for one of his co-workers, he faces pushback from both his conservative community and his own internalized homophobia. Meanwhile, his relationship with his long-time girl/friend Maggie begins to strain as he becomes more distant and preoccupied.
Throughout the summer, Eric turns to music and pop culture as a way to escape his reality, forming a deep connection with artists like the Eurythmics and Madonna. He also begins to experiment with drugs and alcohol, which leads to some dangerous and potentially life-changing experiences.
At the end of the summer, Eric must make a decision about his future and whether he is ready to come out to his friends and family. The movie explores themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the struggle to find one's place in the world.