A go-getter college dropout goes on a quirky quest of self discovery in order to appease the expectations of her younger self.

HighStrung follows Alex, a young guitarist with stage fright, as he arrives for an audition that could change his life. Nervous but determined, he discovers his guitar emits a mysterious glow and an eerie thrumming sound. During his audition, one of the judges and the leader of the band, Blake, quickly loses interest, leaving Alex discouraged. However, after the rejection, he plays a song to himself in the waiting room, unaware of how his guitar’s glow intensified around him, drawing the attention of both Blake and Cassidy, who is the band's drummer and the second judge. As they realize their instruments share the same supernatural energy, Blake, now impressed, offers Alex a spot in the band, as they realize each other's creative potential.

At a futuristic train station, Beatrice, a woman in her 40s, prepares to travel back to 2002, while Olivia, a frustrated 17-year-old, impatiently awaits a train to the year 2046. Despite their differences, the two engage in a spirited discussion about life, responsibilities, and regrets. Beatrice, weighed down by adult responsibilities, questions Olivia's eagerness to grow up, while Olivia, frustrated with her teenage struggles and longing for more control over her life, believes that adulthood will offer her the escape she desires. Their conversation reveals Beatrice's unhappiness with her career and Olivia's strained relationship with her family, each reflecting what the other resents or longs for. As their trains come in, Beatrice steps off with a renewed determination to alter her future, while Olivia remains the same, holding tightly to the assurance of her initial direction.