François Merlin, a humble and frustrated writer of spy novels, lives in Paris. He escapes his mundane existence by immersing himself into the fictional world of Bob Saint-Clar, a fearless and dashing secret agent invented by Merlin. Saint-Clar undertakes thrilling missions, battles villains, and saves beautiful women, all with unflinching bravado. His latest adventure centers around rescuing the captivating Tatiana from the evil clutches of Colonel Karpov while navigating various exotic locations and perilous situations.

In his real life, Merlin faces a series of frustrations including interactions with his overbearing editor. However, he draws inspiration from Christine, his charming neighbor, whom he envisions as Tatiana in his stories. The lines between Merlin’s reality and Saint-Clar’s fictional escapades blur as he begins to lose control over both his character and his own life, leading to unexpected twists and alterations that radically reshape his narrative.