The story of the 2008 film follows three socially awkward freshmen—Wade, Ryan, and Emmit—who become the targets of a relentless school bully named Filkins on their first day of high school. Hiring a Bodyguard

Drillbit subjects the boys to bizarre and largely ineffective "training" sessions while infiltrating their lives. He even poses as a substitute teacher at their school to keep a closer eye on them (and to pursue a beautiful teacher, Miss Zachey). However, after witnessing the genuine cruelty of the bullies and seeing the boys' homes being robbed by his own homeless "friends," Drillbit develops a conscience.

Desperate for protection after realizing school authorities are largely ineffectual, the boys place an ad to hire a professional bodyguard. They eventually select (played by Owen Wilson), an "army veteran" who claims to have been discharged for "unauthorized heroism". In reality, Drillbit is a homeless con artist living on the beach who plans to fleece the kids for their money and steal valuables from their homes. The Con and the Change of Heart