In 1969 Los Angeles, Rick Dalton, a once-famous TV Western actor, finds his star fading and struggles to navigate the changing landscape of Hollywood. Accompanied by his long-time stunt double and friend, Cliff Booth, Rick grapples with his diminishing career, searching for a way to reclaim his past glory. The pair are a study in contrasts; Rick is insecure and anxious about his future, while Cliff is unflappably cool and confident, despite his own murky past. As Rick continues to seek high-quality roles, striving to transition successfully to films, he is burdened by the knowledge that he is now often considered for "heavy" roles—villains and adversaries to newer, rising stars.

Next door to Rick's opulent Hollywood home lives Sharon Tate, a bright and ascending film actress married to director Roman Polanski. With a promising future ahead of her, Sharon's life is filled with the buzz and glamour of Hollywood success, mirroring the stardom that Rick desperately yearns to recapture. As their stories unfold, the stark contrast between Rick's fading career trajectory and Sharon's blossoming fame becomes increasingly apparent. Both represent diverging paths within the competitive world of show business—a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of fame and the ruthlessness of an industry always looking for the next big thing.