Jimmy Was Eight follows three people, Antonia, Mary, and Terence, as they grapple with societal expectations, the limits of forgiveness, and navigating the aftermath of surviving an acquaintance rape, a brutal hate crime, and the killing of a child at the hands of police. They encounter therapists, activists, religious authorities, concerned friends and family, well-meaning journalists and community members, all offering various forms of help. The three characters are forced to confront the narrative that recovery must include forgiving those who’ve wronged you and taken away your agency. Antonia, Mary, and Terence each must make the difficult decision on how to keep on living despite these obstacles.