Barry Jenkins

Juan confronts Paula, the mother of a young boy he cares for, after finding her using drugs in a car. The scene escalates into a heated argument about their respective responsibilities and failures, particularly concerning the child's well-being.

Don King offers Christy Martin a spot on the undercard of the Tyson vs. Holyfield fight while asserting his absolute power over her career. He delivers a chilling reminder of her professional mortality, warning her that while she is currently the 'queen,' the boxing world will eventually move on without her.

Paula, struggling with addiction, confronts her son Chiron to demand money for her next fix. She expresses deep resentment toward Teresa, the woman who has been looking after Chiron, and uses guilt to manipulate him into giving her what she wants.

A young boy, Little, is discovered hiding in a crack house by Juan, a drug dealer. Juan attempts to connect with the frightened child, offering him food and a way out of the dangerous building.

Juan shares a formative childhood memory from Cuba with Chiron while they sit by the ocean. He recounts an encounter with an old woman who told him that black boys look blue in the moonlight, establishing a profound connection between their shared identity and the environment.

A young boy, Little, asks his mentor, Juan, what a 'faggot' is, revealing the bullying he's experiencing. Juan struggles to explain the term and reassure Little, while also navigating his own understanding and the presence of Teresa.

Juan teaches a young boy, Little, how to swim in the ocean. As Little learns to trust Juan and the water, they share a poignant conversation about identity and heritage, culminating in the origin of Little's nickname, 'Blue'.