Matthew McConaughey stars as a surfer who discovers that his cool Malibu vibe has been corrupted by the arrival of Virtual Reality Games. Unwilling to participate he decides to surf his home break, but in a twist-of-fate the waves go flat. Now, aided by his manager (Harrelson), his guardian-angel (Nelson), and his summer love (Gilmore), he must learn to endure the insanity that comes with no waves, or give into the reality-altering machines.