In a quiet American town, the story begins with a whimsical but existential atmosphere that is quickly disrupted when a rhinoceros charges through the streets, astonishing the residents. Stanley, a timid and unassertive office worker, witnesses this bizarre event with his friend John, who dismisses it as a trick of the mind. However, as more rhinoceros sightings occur, Stanley grows increasingly anxious while John and others in their circle remain skeptical. Stanley struggles with the disillusionment of his mundane existence, finding solace in Daisy, a charming and gentle colleague, who offers him a momentary distraction from his growing paranoia.

As days pass, the surreal phenomenon escalates, causing a wave of irrational behavior among townsfolk and revealing the absurdity lying beneath society's façade. Stanley’s transformation from a conformist to an individual desperately seeking truth stands in stark contrast to John's unwavering rationalism. Stanley's world becomes increasingly surreal and chaotic as he confronts the bizarre occurrences and the fact that many of his fellow citizens seem to be turning into rhinoceroses themselves. Ultimately, this drastic shift forces Stanley and Daisy to re-evaluate their identities and place within a society that is increasingly slipping into madness.