Step Brothers- Detailed Summary

Step Brothers is a no hold barred outrageous exaggeration of sibling rivalry between Ferrell and Reilly who play 40 year old newly introduced step brothers. They both live with their parents, who have spent the last quarter of the century thinking of the right way to push them out of the nest. Brennan Huff (Will Ferrell) lives with his mom Nancy (Mary Steenburgen). Having spent large part of his 39 years in living off his mom, he occasionally finds employment only to give it up again. Dale Doback (Reilly) is a chronically unemployed 42 year old, living with his father Robert (Richard Jenkins).

Their life takes a sudden twist when Nancy and Robert fall in love, get married and start living together. Dale and Brennan are forced to share a room which immediately results in a conflict as neither boy is used to share anything. They take an instant dislike for each other. Dale, more aggressive and sullen of the two, verbally pounds his unwanted roommate. He strictly warns Brennan not to touch his Drum set. Sure enough, Brennan is tempted so much that he plays the Drums in Dale’s absence and leaves the room before he arrives. Dale notices a chip on the drumstick as soon as he enters the room and confronts Brennan about it. Despite Brennan’s denial, they start fighting till they are separated by their parents who ask them to find a job or else move out.

The boys soon find out that they have a lot in common including their love for ninjas, COPS, porn-mags and comfort of living in the fantasy world of extended adolescence. Another factor that strengthens their bond is their intense dislike for Brennan’s younger brother Derek (Adam Scott) who comes to visit them with his family. Derek is brutish, insincere and self involved executive at a helicopter charter firm. To Dale and Brennan, Derek presents a nightmarish vision of adulthood. They hide in Dale’s tree house to avoid him. But ultimately, they have to face him. Angered by Derek’s mocking, Dale punches him on the face. It works like a magic on Brennan who always wanted to do that but never had the courage. It seals their friendship. This incident has another interesting outcome. Derek’s long suffering wife Alice(Kathryn Hahn) finds it extremely arousing and gets passionately obsessed with Dale after he punches her husband squarely on face.

As warned by their parents, they start looking for jobs but perform very badly at the interviews as expected. One day while walking home they have a brain wave to start their own company by the name of ‘Prestige Worldwide‘. They run into kids who regularly beat up Dale. The kids humiliate Dale and Brennan by making them lick dog’s feces after beating them up.

At home, their parents disclose that Derek is selling the house. To sabotage Derek’s evil designs, Dale and Brennan dress up as bad neighbors and fake Brennan’s death in front of prospective buyer. Later, they shoot a music video on Robert’s boat to promote their talent and show it to everyone including their parents and Derek. The footage reveals that the boat was crashed into rocks, prompting Robert to punish them. Things come to head when they attack Robert while sleepwalking during Christmas time. Unable to put up with the boys anymore, Robert is forced to divorce Nancy. He holds Dale and Brennan responsible for their separation who, in turn blame each other and turn their backs on each other. Finally, divorce of their parents goad them into doing something that nothing else could. They find jobs and become independent, moving into their separate apartments. Brennan starts working for Derek and Dale becomes a caterer. But they miss each other and become miserable.

They meet again at a sales party of helicopters arranged by Brennan that is referred to as the Fucking Catalina Wine Mixer. The whole family is present there along with Nancy and Robert. Robert realizes that Dale and Brennan are miserable just as the band playing at the party quits because of a heckler. He encourages them to be true to themselves and take the chance that life has thrown their way. They must come together to fulfill their dreams. They go on stage as “Prestige Worldwide” and everyone cheer them. Robert and Nancy along with Derek have a change of heart when they listen to Brennan singing. Parents fall in love again and Derek regains love for his brother.

Everything falls into place after that. Robert and Nancy get married again and shack up. They have a new tree house made out of the damaged boat just for Dale and Brennan, who after their unexpected success turn professionals. They become successful karaoke duo.

The best is saved for the last. During the credits at the end of the movie, Brennan and Dale arrive in a helicopter and take revenge from the kids by beating them.