Questions

What is the plot?

The movie The Boy I Hate (2025) begins with Samantha Smiles preparing for a cross-country road trip from Los Angeles to New York City. She is set to attend her best friend Renee Montgomery’s wedding. Samantha’s boyfriend, Steven, was supposed to accompany her on this trip, but at the last minute, he bails. This leaves Samantha in a difficult position, forced to find an alternative way to get to the wedding.

Samantha ends up having to drive with Tristan Montgomery, who is her best friend Renee’s older brother and also her first love from years ago. The film reveals that Samantha and Tristan share a complicated past: five years earlier, they had a secret summer fling during which Tristan took all of Samantha’s “firsts.” This history has left Samantha with mixed feelings—resentment and unresolved emotions toward Tristan.

The road trip begins tensely, with Samantha and Tristan exchanging cold, sometimes sharp words, reflecting their complicated history and the emotional walls they have built. As they drive across the country, the film shows various scenes of them navigating highways, motels, and roadside diners. The dialogue and interactions reveal their attempts to avoid confronting their past, but the proximity forces them to face old wounds and feelings.

During the trip, Samantha’s current relationship troubles are also revealed. Steven, her boyfriend of five years, has been unfaithful, having an affair with his secretary. Samantha’s feelings for Steven are conflicted; she still professes love for him despite his betrayal. This subplot is shown through phone calls and flashbacks, highlighting Samantha’s emotional turmoil and the contrast between her past with Tristan and her present with Steven.

As the journey progresses, Samantha and Tristan begin to open up to each other. Scenes show them sharing personal stories, vulnerabilities, and moments of laughter, breaking down the animosity between them. The film carefully depicts their gradual emotional thawing through subtle gestures and dialogue, such as Tristan revealing his struggles behind his popular football player image and Samantha expressing her frustrations with her current life.

Key moments include a night where they camp or stay at a motel, sharing a quiet conversation that hints at mutual feelings still lingering. The tension between them shifts from antagonistic to tender, though both characters wrestle with their fears and doubts. Samantha is torn between loyalty to her best friend Renee and the resurfacing feelings for Tristan, while Tristan shows a desire for genuine connection beyond his past mistakes.

The climax of the film occurs as they near New York City. Samantha must decide whether to continue living according to others’ expectations or to embrace her own desires and feelings. In a pivotal scene, Samantha and Tristan finally confess their feelings for each other, acknowledging the love they have tried to suppress for five years.

The movie ends with Samantha choosing to follow her heart. She and Tristan decide to give their relationship a real chance, moving beyond the past hurt. The final scenes show them arriving at the wedding together, united and hopeful for the future. Samantha’s relationship with Steven is left behind, symbolizing her growth and new beginning.

In summary, the main characters Samantha Smiles and Tristan Montgomery both survive and find resolution by reconnecting and choosing each other after a road trip filled with emotional confrontation and rediscovery. Samantha moves on from her unfaithful boyfriend Steven and embraces a future with Tristan, her first love and best friend’s brother.

What is the ending?

⚠ Spoiler – click to reveal

At the end of The Boy I Hate (2025), Samantha Smiles and Tristan Montgomery confront their past and feelings during their cross-country trip. Samantha chooses to follow her own path, embracing her feelings for Tristan, while resolving the tension with her best friend Renee. Tristan and Samantha reconcile, and the story closes with them together, having overcome their history and misunderstandings.

Now, a detailed scene-by-scene narration of the ending:

The final sequence begins as Samantha and Tristan near New York City, the destination of the wedding they are attending. The atmosphere is tense but charged with unspoken emotions. Samantha, who has spent much of the trip wrestling with her feelings and loyalty to her best friend Renee, finally breaks the silence. She admits to Tristan that she has never truly gotten over him, revealing the depth of her conflicted emotions since their secret summer years ago.

Tristan listens intently, his usual confident demeanor softening. He confesses that he, too, has struggled with his feelings for Samantha, explaining that his past behavior—moving on quickly and seeming indifferent—was a mask for his own insecurities and fears of vulnerability.

As they arrive at the wedding venue, Samantha and Tristan face Renee together. There is a moment of awkwardness, but Samantha openly tells Renee the truth about her feelings and the history she shares with Tristan. Renee, initially hurt and surprised, listens and then expresses her own feelings of betrayal but also her desire for Samantha’s happiness.

The wedding ceremony proceeds, and Samantha and Tristan share a quiet moment away from the crowd. They acknowledge that their relationship will be complicated but worth pursuing. Samantha decides to stop living for others’ expectations, choosing instead to embrace her own desires and future.

The final scene shows Samantha and Tristan walking hand in hand through the city streets, symbolizing a new beginning. Renee watches from a distance, a bittersweet smile on her face, indicating acceptance and the hope for healing.

Regarding the fates of the main characters:

  • Samantha Smiles resolves her internal conflict by choosing to pursue her own happiness with Tristan, stepping away from the shadow of her past and her boyfriend Steven’s betrayal.

  • Tristan Montgomery sheds his tough exterior, opening up emotionally and committing to a genuine relationship with Samantha.

  • Renee Montgomery faces the pain of her brother and best friend’s relationship but ultimately accepts their choice, hinting at personal growth and forgiveness.

This ending highlights the themes of confronting past wounds, the complexity of love and friendship, and the courage to choose oneself despite difficult circumstances.

Is there a post-credit scene?

⚠ Spoiler – click to reveal

For the movie titled The Boy I Hate (2025), there is no available information or record indicating the presence of a post-credits scene. The search results do not mention this movie or any post-credits content related to it. The results focus on other 2025 movies like How to Train Your Dragon, Heart Eyes, and I Know What You Did Last Summer, but none reference The Boy I Hate or its post-credits scenes.

Therefore, based on current data, it appears that The Boy I Hate (2025) does not have a post-credits scene, or if it does, it has not been publicly documented or discussed in available sources.

What is the nature of Samantha Smiles and Tristan Montgomery's past relationship in The Boy I Hate (2025)?

Samantha Smiles and Tristan Montgomery had a one-night stand during one summer when Samantha was her best friend Renee's trusted friend. This secret summer fling left Samantha torn between her feelings for Tristan and her loyalty to Renee, and Tristan acted indifferent afterward, which hurt Samantha deeply.

How does Samantha discover her boyfriend Steven's betrayal during the story?

Samantha finds out about her boyfriend Steven's affair with his secretary when she makes a stop to say goodbye to him during the road trip. She catches him red-handed, which leads to a confrontation where Tristan teaches Steven a lesson, but Samantha initially runs away without confronting Steven directly.

What forces Samantha and Tristan to travel together in The Boy I Hate?

Samantha's boyfriend Steven bails on their planned cross-country road trip to Renee's wedding, forcing Samantha to make the drive alone. However, her best friend Renee, unaware of Samantha's history with her brother Tristan, sets Samantha up to travel with Tristan, leading to the two being forced to confront their past and feelings during the trip from LA to New York.

What impact did Tristan Montgomery's injury have on his life and character?

Tristan Montgomery suffered an injury that ended his football career, which is a significant part of his backstory. This injury reveals a more vulnerable side of Tristan behind his popular and reckless persona, and it influences his interactions with Samantha during their road trip.

How does the road trip between Samantha and Tristan evolve in terms of their relationship?

During the road trip, Samantha and Tristan are forced to open up about their lives, including their past summer fling and Tristan's injury. Despite their initial animosity and Samantha's feelings of betrayal, the trip reveals a different, more vulnerable and caring side of Tristan, leading to a rekindling of feelings and a complex dynamic between them as they travel together to Renee's wedding.

Is this family friendly?

The movie The Boy I Hate (2025) is a romantic drama centered on complex relationships, including themes of love, betrayal, and family dynamics. It is not specifically categorized as family-friendly or a children’s film.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects for children or sensitive viewers may include:

  • Themes of romantic betrayal and cheating, as the story involves a character being cheated on by a boyfriend.
  • Family drama and emotional conflicts, which may include tense or upsetting interactions.
  • Relationship struggles and emotional tension that could be intense for younger audiences.

There is no indication of explicit violence or graphic content, but the emotional and relational themes might be challenging for children or sensitive viewers. The film’s tone and subject matter suggest it is more suitable for teens and adults rather than young children.