A 28-year-old billionaire asset manager, Eric Packer, decides to embark on an odyssey across midtown Manhattan in a stretch limousine to get a haircut from his preferred barber. The city is in an uproar with the visit of the President, causing severe traffic jams. Along the way, Packer conducts his daily business in the confines of his luxurious, tech-loaded vehicle. His journey, which should take a matter of minutes, stretches out indefinitely, as he encounters obstacles including a presidential motorcade, anti-globalization protests, and a celebrity funeral. The outside chaos and the labyrinth of city streets reflect his own spiraling descent into personal turmoil as the day unfolds.

As Packer's day progresses, he conducts a series of meetings with an impressive procession of partners and advisors—ranging from work colleagues, a doctor who conducts daily medical checkups, and a variety of sexual encounters. With each encounter, the young billionaire juggles financial speculation and existential questions, leading to a sense of detachment and a loss of reality. The interactions reveal the flaws in Packer's life and his empire, shedding light on his cold and calculative view on money and power. Despite his wealth, Packer's personal life is hollow, filled with paranoia and devoid of genuine human connection. His conversations touch upon themes of capitalism, technology, and power, while he continues his seemingly simple quest for a haircut, revealing deeper layers of isolation and dissatisfaction in the modern world.