Under the influence is a film set in Manchester in 2011. It follows the life of three teenage girls: Lucy-Mae (Ashleigh O'Connor), Charlene (Amy Darby), and Emma (Chloe Corbett).

Lucy-Mae the issued girl, she tries to push against her families over protective nature and closeted views of life, she has personal issues with her mother and father who are strongly religious and although they are unhappily married refuse to separate resulting in conflict in the home creating an unstable environment for Lucy-Mae. This results in Lucy-Mae’s aggressive and reserved personality, she finds it hard to connect with people and only has her two best childhood friends to confide in. She commits to a ‘Goth’ lifestyle to hide her personal insecurities.

Charlene seems like the overly confident, bubbly character when in fact she uses drugs and alcohol to hide her insecurities of an abusive childhood; she is a popular and well like character however finds her true self as a defense mechanism. She has grown up with both Lucy-Mae and Emma and has built a strong relationship with them, however in the film we see a rift form between Lucy-Mae and Charlene as a result of boyfriend issues.

Emma is the kind, well brought up one who keeps the group together, her caring personality helps both of them through their tough times. Although she has her own issues consisting of her eating disorder.

The film looks at teen life in a post modernistic socially realistic portrayal and helps relate to certain audiences as it looks at everyday issues that teenagers have with their selves and others. It watches the three girls over a year period, it sees how they split up and are reunited and resolve their issues with one another. The display of alcohol and drug abuse as away of avoiding a conflict its something many teenagers can relate to.