An ambitious young stockbroker, Bud Fox, is determined to succeed in the competitive world of Wall Street during the 1980s. Eager to climb the corporate ladder, Bud idolizes Gordon Gekko, a ruthless and legendary corporate raider known for his aggressive tactics and high-risk deals. Through persistence, Bud finally manages to get an audience with Gekko and strategically offers him insider trading information about an airline company, which earns him a coveted position under Gekko's tutelage.

As Bud becomes entrenched in the high-stakes environment of finance and corporate raiding, he is seduced by the allure of wealth and power. He dives deeper into the world of insider trading and illegal information gathering at Gekko's behest. However, Bud's moral compass starts to waver as he becomes witness to the greed and corruption that pervade the industry. His relationships with his father and his co-workers begin to deteriorate as he becomes more involved with Gekko's dealings, setting the stage for a significant personal and ethical crisis in Bud's life.