In the late 19th century, strict rules are imposed upon children and young adults at school, at church, and in the family home. If necessary, these rules are imposed by force. The rule book does not allow for curiosity and certainly not for self-realisation.

Nevertheless, the 14-year-old Wendla tentatively asks her mother questions about coming of age, but she is purposefully kept clueless and uninformed.
Her childhood friend Moritz is under huge pressure at school and suffers from fear of failure – and also from his first sexual fantasies, which he can make no sense of.
His best friend Melchior, on the other hand, is from a loving home, is top of the class, and claims to be worldly-wise. He compiles all his knowledge into a written essay which he secretly hands over to Moritz.

Tension bubbles between the three of them, driven by curiosity, pressure and insecurity. Whilst their schoolmate Hänschen can get everything he wants as a matter of course, their friend Ilse flees from her violent family home where she must leave her sister Martha behind.

Moritz becomes further isolated within the disciplinary system. When he fails his exams and his situation at home escalates, he sees no way out and takes his own life.

An intense attachment forms between Wendla and Melchior. It leads to first sexual encounters and Wendla becomes pregnant. Her mother forces her into getting an abortion, which is performed so amateurishly that Wendla dies during the procedure.

Initially, Melchior knows nothing of Wendla’s tragic end. His essay, intended for Moritz, is discovered and he is consequently blamed for Moritz’s death. Not only that, but his parents discover that he slept with Wendla and thus send him away to a reform school.

He manages to escape. But when he finds out about Wendla’s death, he wrestles with guilt and grief and wonders whether he can carry on living …