Nora (Renate Reinsve), a gifted stage actress, and her younger sister Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) were abandoned years ago when they were children by their actor father, Gustav Borg (Stellan Skarsgård), who has always prioritized his work. As a child, Agnes played a role in one of her father's movies and is now a married woman with a child.

Nora is conflicted and still angry by her father's abandonment. She wants nothing to do with him so when he comes to her with a script he's written especially with her in mind for the lead, she refuses. He finds a surprising source of support after a Hollywood star, Rachel Kemp (Elle Fanning) discovers his films at a festival retrospective. Preparation on Gustav’s new movie begins with Rachel in the role that Nora rejected.