The New Romantic follows Blake Conway, a college senior majoring in journalism who dreams of being a successful writer. Frustrated with the lack of romance among guys her age and unable to afford her student debt, Blake decides to embrace a new concept of dating. She becomes a sugar baby, dating an older man named Ian who is willing to provide her with lavish gifts and experiences in exchange for her presence and attention.
As Blake becomes more involved in the world of sugar dating, she starts documenting her experiences in the hopes of winning a journalism award. Despite the social stigma surrounding sugar dating, Blake finds herself enjoying the attention and gifts from Ian and other sugar daddies. However, she soon realizes that the lifestyle comes with a price as she is forced to confront her own self-worth and the societal judgments of women in this kind of relationship.
The film explores themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and the intersections of love and money. The New Romantic ultimately challenges traditional ideas of love and relationships and asks its audience to question the social constructs that dictate our worth and success. The film stars Jessica Barden as Blake, alongside Hayley Law, Brett Dier, and Timm Sharp.