Cleveland Heep, a stuttering apartment complex superintendent, discovers a mysterious young woman named Story swimming in the building's pool late one night. She reveals that she is a 'narf,' a nymph-like creature from a bedtime fairy tale, who is trying to return to her world, the Blue World. Cleveland becomes the reluctant guardian of her secret, learning that Story is being pursued by a sinister creature that aims to prevent her from returning home.

Convinced that he is part of a larger mythological story unfolding around him, Cleveland seeks the help of the diverse tenants in the apartment complex to protect Story and aid in her journey. As he uncovers clues from the tenants' personalities and quirks, he pieces together their roles in this real-life fairy tale. Each tenant holds a specific purpose in assisting Story—a writer holds the key to understanding the bigger picture, while others are destined to protect, serve, and guide the narf on her way. Locked in a race against time before the menacing creature can harm her, Cleveland orchestrates a plan for Story's safe passage back to her world.