Orphaned tearaway Ren McCormack (Kenny Wormald) has the chance to make a fresh start in the quiet city of Bomont. Moving in with his uncle, he is shocked to hear that three years earlier, following an alcohol and party-fuelled tragedy, the residents imposed a ban on rock 'n' roll and dancing.
Ren isn't convinced and, pairing up with Ariel (Julianne Hough), sets out to persuade the adults that the teens of Bomont need to be able to boogie. Amid anger from Ariel's authoritarian father Reverend Shaw Moore (Quaid), Ren rallies to the cause of the adolescents and attempts to reignite rhythm in the city once more.