Jamie, a self-absorbed young American traveling in Chile, is eager to explore the mysteries of the San Pedro cactus, a local hallucinogen.

However, in a moment of indiscretion, he invites the eccentric "Crystal Fairy", another young American, to join him and his three Chilean companions, who are also seeking the magical herb to varying degrees.

Despite a hasty theft to acquire the desired plant, they all have heartfelt experiences under its psychotropic influence on a remote deserted beach, which brings them closer together.

[5] While shooting the scene of Crystal Fairy tripping, Hoffmann was actually under the influence of real psychedelics, saying "...I just knew it would be okay.

"[5] Silva told the audience after the world premiere in Park City that Crystal Fairy was largely improvised.

The site's consensus reads: "Slight and unpolished, The Crystal Fairy is held together with Sebastian Silva's assured direction and a pair of strong, committed performances from Michael Cera and Gaby Hoffman.

There's a tender radiance to him here, and some string-bean clowning; at times, especially when he's playing a beatific high, he looks for all the world like Harpo Marx.