As the film unfolds, Dean struggles with the guilt of not reporting Troy's death to the authorities. He is also dealing with the pressures of living in a dysfunctional family, with his parents constantly fighting and his mother being emotionally distant.
Meanwhile, Dean's classmates all have their own issues to deal with. Crystal, the popular girl, is secretly dating Troy's older brother, Billy, who is a drug dealer. Troy's grieving mother, Carrie, becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to her son, leading her to uncover dark secrets about the town and its residents.
The adults in the town, including Dean's parents and their friends, are all dealing with their own problems and using drugs as an escape. The community is shown to be superficial, with everyone hiding behind a facade of perfection while struggling with their inner demons.
As the characters' lives start to unravel, they are forced to confront their own insecurities and flaws. The Chumscrubber ultimately explores themes of alienation, disconnection, and the search for authenticity in a world that values materialism and superficiality.