Anastasia Steele, a literature student, steps in for her sick roommate to interview the wealthy and enigmatic young entrepreneur, Christian Grey, for their campus paper. Despite the palpable attraction between them, she finds him intimidating and the interview awkward. Shortly after, Christian unexpectedly shows up at the hardware store where Ana works, initiating a flirtatious encounter that leaves Ana intrigued but confused. As they begin to see each other, Christian insists their relationship remain strictly professional, yet the undeniable chemistry between them makes this difficult.

Christian gradually opens up to Ana about his unconventional sexual preferences, revealing his interest in BDSM. He presents her with a contract that would formalize their arrangement as dominant and submissive. Astonished yet drawn into Christian's enigmatic world, Ana grapples with her desires and the boundaries of her comfort zone. As they embark on an intense and physically charged relationship, Ana explores her own limits and confrontations with the darker aspects of Christian's desires shape the beginning of a complicated and passionate affair.