In the bustling world of New York City's nightlife, powerful and ruthless newspaper columnist J.J. Hunsecker wields his influence like a weapon. Hunsecker meticulously controls the lives of those around him, most notably his younger sister, Susan. Concerned about Susan's romantic involvement with jazz musician Steve Dallas, J.J. decides to manipulate the situation to ensure the relationship ends. He enlists the help of Sidney Falco, an ambitious press agent desperate for favorable mentions in J.J.'s column. Sidney sees this as his big chance to get ahead, so he agrees to help J.J., even though it requires him to engage in morally dubious actions.

Sidney becomes entwined in a web of deceit, sabotage, and emotional turmoil as he struggles to fulfill J.J.'s demands. The intricate machinations to ruin Steve Dallas’s career and break up his romance with Susan force Sidney to confront his own ethical boundaries and the cost of his ambition. As the stakes and tensions rise, the characters’ lives are inexorably altered. The story delves deeply into themes of power, corruption, and the destructive impact of one man’s relentless quest for control, painting a stark picture of life under the influence of an unscrupulous and commanding figure.