Malcolm is a smart and ambitious teenager living in a tough neighborhood in Inglewood, California. He and his friends Jib (played by Tony Revolori) and Diggy (played by Kiersey Clemons) are passionate about ’90s hip-hop culture. Despite their academic achievements, they struggle to fit in with their peers.
One day, Malcolm encounters a local drug dealer named Dom (played by A$AP Rocky), who invites him to his birthday party. At the party, chaos erupts, leading to a shooting. In the confusion, Dom hides a backpack full of drugs in Malcolm’s backpack.
Realizing the value of the drugs, Malcolm decides to sell them to improve his chances of getting into Harvard. This decision sets off a chain of events involving drug dealers, a hacker named Nakia (played by Zoë Kravitz), and a dangerous criminal named AJ (played by Tyga).
In the climax, Malcolm, Jib, and Diggy navigate the dangerous situations they find themselves in, culminating in a confrontation with AJ. Using their intelligence and resourcefulness, they manage to outsmart their adversaries.
“Dope” received positive reviews for its fresh take on the coming-of-age genre, clever writing, and engaging performances. The film explores themes of identity, ambition, and the challenges faced by young people growing up in challenging environments.