Esther Blodgett is an ambitious young woman from North Dakota who dreams of becoming a Hollywood actress. She decides to leave her small-town life behind and moves to Los Angeles with hopes of making it big in the film industry. However, Esther’s initial enthusiasm is quickly tempered by the harsh realities of Hollywood, as she struggles to find work and faces constant rejections. Her fortunes change when she meets Norman Maine, a successful yet troubled actor whose career is on the decline due to his battles with alcoholism. Norman takes a liking to Esther and recognizes her talent, offering her guidance and emotional support in navigating the ruthless world of show business.

Through Norman's connections, Esther lands a screen test that launches her into stardom. She adopts the stage name Vicki Lester and quickly rises to become one of Hollywood's leading actresses. As Vicki’s career flourishes, she and Norman fall in love and get married. However, the dynamics of their relationship begin to shift as she experiences increasing fame, while Norman continues to grapple with his personal demons and waning career. The pressures of Hollywood, combined with the challenges of maintaining a relationship where one partner’s rise contributes to the other's fall, create tension between Esther and Norman. As Vicki navigates her new life in the spotlight, she is forced to confront difficult choices that affect both her career and personal life.