Johnny Marco, a Hollywood actor entrenched in a lifestyle of fame, fast cars, and easy flings, navigates a hollow existence at the famed Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles. Nursing a minor injury and a seemingly shallow career, his life is one of luxury yet devoid of purpose, filled with repetitive publicity obligations and the nuisances of celebrity. His daily routine is punctuated by alcohol, drugs, and casual encounters with women, doing little to fill the emotional void or offer a sense of fulfillment.

This numbing routine is abruptly interrupted when Cleo, Johnny's 11-year-old daughter from a failed marriage, arrives unexpectedly. With her mother gone for unspecified reasons, Cleo's presence forces Johnny to confront the realities of fatherhood and the responsibilities that have long been neglected. Her youthful innocence and genuine affection for her father present a stark contrast to the insincerity and superficiality of Johnny's adult world. As he begins to spend more time with Cleo, participating in simple activities like cooking, ice skating, and playing guitar, Johnny is prompted to reassess his life choices and the direction of his career.