Adam is sent away by his mother, Siti, to undergo the rite of passage of every Singaporean son: National Service. Except, he was born in Australia and has no sense of what Singapore means to him. His return is further complicated by Siti's overzealous need for him to rekindle the ties she severed a long time ago—and experience the quintessential rite of passage of every Singaporean Malay-Muslim son: circumcision.

Aided by an uncle and grandmother who are not quite what they seem and an out of sorts ‘maker of men’ doctor, Adam journeys to be a man.???