A deep exploration into the tumultuous bond between Carl Jung, played by Viggo Mortensen, and Sigmund Freud, portrayed by Michael Fassbender, which ultimately lays the foundation for psychoanalysis.
In the year 1904, a troubled patient named Sabina (Keira Knightley) is admitted to Jung's Swiss clinic. Unlike her prior doctors who resorted to violence, Sabina is taken aback by Jung's compassionate approach, which revolves around conversation. Having endured physical abuse from her father, she is haunted by memories of his hand, leading to vivid visions of past trauma.
Meanwhile, Sarah Jung, Carl's wife, stands firmly by his side, fully endorsing his unconventional talk therapy technique. Ambitious and eager, Sabina reveals her aspirations of becoming a doctor, prompting Jung to involve her in his research. As she participates in Jung's interviews, her keen attention to detail shines through.
As therapy progresses, Sabina confesses a troubling revelation: the violence she experienced as a child elicited a troubling sense of sexual excitement within her. Following the principles established by Freud, who has yet to publish significant work in this area, Carl feels compelled to meet him. In their first encounter in 1906, Carl shares Sabina's progress, only for Freud to caution him about the sexual underpinnings of psychoanalysis, suggesting it will face scrutiny for the next century.
Their further discussions reveal Sabina's yearning to pursue psychoanalysis and the introduction of Otto Grouse, a troubled polygamist and fellow psychoanalyst referred to Carl by Freud. Concerned about Otto's unpredictability, Freud warns Carl, who soon finds himself in a precarious situation. Otto aggressively promotes the idea that intimacy with patients can be therapeutic, complicating Carl's professional boundaries.
As the narrative unfolds, Carl grapples with his own desires and transgressions, engaging in a sexual relationship with Sabina as she expresses her longing for him. Impulsively, he shares unorthodox ideas about mysticism, but Freud staunchly maintains a science-first approach. The tension builds when Freud uncovers whispers about Carl's affair, leading to a complex revelation between the three characters.
Sabina circles back to Freud, hoping for acknowledgment as a patient, while Carl wrestles with his conflicting emotions. In a turn of events, Sabina's ties to Carl deepen even as exposure leads to personal upheaval. Tensions rise further as Sabina's academic future hangs in the balance and Carl's indiscretions threaten to unravel his career.
As the years unfold, we witness the repercussions of their passionate yet destructive entanglement. Sabina eventually marries and gives birth, sorrowfully returning to Carl, who is now unwell following the disintegration of his friendship with Freud.
The story culminates against the backdrop of historical strife, detailing the tragic fate of Freud, who dies in exile from the Nazis, and Sabina, who, along with her children, faces a grisly end at their hands. Meanwhile, Carl's life takes a pivot post-World War I as he emerges as a prominent psychologist. He eventually passes away in 1961, leaving a legacy shaped by both personal and professional turmoil.
