In the early 1970s in London, a young man named Farrokh Bulsara, an immigrant of Parsi descent from Zanzibar, works as a baggage handler at Heathrow Airport, while dreaming of music stardom. At night, he frequents local clubs, immersing himself in the rock scene. After a chance encounter at a gig, Farrokh approaches the members of the band Smile, whose lead singer has just quit, and impresses them with his vocal prowess and stage presence. With Farrokh, now adopting the name Freddie Mercury, as their new frontman, alongside guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, and bassist John Deacon, the rechristened band Queen begins to make waves in the music world. Mercury's extraordinary talent and vision propel them to experiment with their sound, yielding unique and groundbreaking results.

As Queen's popularity soars, their music hits the airwaves with a succession of hit singles, and their groundbreaking albums catapult them to global fame. Mercury's flamboyant stage persona and four-octave vocal range become their trademarks, with their performances electrifying audiences worldwide. However, with fame comes personal challenges. Mercury faces inner turmoil concerning his identity and relationships, and his extravagant lifestyle starts to take a toll. As tensions rise within the band due to personal and creative differences, Mercury must navigate his complex relationships with his bandmates, loved ones, and his own sense of self, while the specter of the burgeoning AIDS crisis looms.