Hippo examines the coming of age of two step-siblings: Hippo, a teenager addicted to video games, and Buttercup, a Hungarian Catholic immigrant who loves classical music and Jesus. Like the ancient Greek Aphrodite, Buttercup's love is rejected by a brother who prefers to engage in the arts of war and chaos. The result is a hormone-fueled, tragic awakening nightmare that has to be seen to be seen.