When perfectionist third-grader Juniper Santos loses the student council elections, she runs away from school and hides in a closet at home. Her childhood toy, Howard the sloth, comes to life and implores her to return to her dream planet, Pepperonia. A mysterious sickness has descended upon the lands and it will soon turn to ruin. As they journey through the lands, Juniper must face her inner darkness and express herself before her dream planet fades away forever.

A controlling father’s attempts to ensure that his two children succeed in high school backfire after his son experiences a career-ending sports injury. Their familial bonds are eventually placed under severe strain by an unexpected tragedy.