Muriel Heslop is a 20-something young woman living in the small town of Porpoise Spit, Australia. She is socially awkward, lacks self-esteem, and is constantly ridiculed and bullied by her popular former classmates. Muriel dreams of a glamorous life and finding true love, but cannot seem to break free from the monotony of her current existence.
After stealing money from her parents, Muriel embarks on a vacation to the tropical island resort of Hibiscus with her former classmate Rhonda. Muriel reinvents herself on the trip, presenting a confident, carefree persona to the people she encounters. She meets and falls in love with South African swimmer David Van Arkle, who is vacationing at the same resort.
Throughout her journey, Muriel confronts the reality of her situation and learns to stand up for herself. She realizes that true happiness cannot be found through material possessions or external validation, and must come from within.
The movie features a strong soundtrack, including ABBA hits such as "Dancing Queen" and "Waterloo." The film's themes of self-discovery and breaking free from societal expectations have made it a beloved classic since its release in 1994.