[1] The plot centers on four college freshmen on their last night of Thanksgiving break, their first time back since leaving for school.

[2] Palo Alto stars Aaron Ashmore, Johnny Lewis, Justin Mentell, Autumn Reeser, Ben Savage and Tom Arnold.

The film opens with four college freshmen—Alec, Nolan, Patrick and Ryan—sneaking into an old classroom to retrieve an item confiscated by a freshman high school teacher.

Alone and concerned his night will end with no excitement, Alec befriends an older fraternity brother, Anthony.

The four boys' stories continue throughout the night, briefly intersecting, before the sun rises and they all leave home again.