Nearly five decades after his acclaimed novel, Atomic Autumn, Harris Shaw, portrayed by Michael Caine, finds himself as a cantankerous old man living alone with his cat in Westchester, New York. Despite his attempts to pen another masterpiece on his typewriter, he struggles, discarding countless failed pages fueled by frustration. His solitude is punctuated by persistent phone calls, leading him to hurl his phone out the window in a fit of rage.
Meanwhile, Lucy Stanbridge, played by Aubrey Plaza, is grappling with the inherited publishing business from her late father, Joseph. The company is floundering, and a bad review by the New York Times only adds to her woes. Although Rachel, played by Ellen Wong, tries to bolster Lucy’s spirits with updates on a disgruntled young reader attacking one of their published books in an online video, Lucy remains unfazed by critics who don’t resonate with younger audiences. The desire to sell the business arises when Jack Sinclair, portrayed by Scott Speedman, a man who Joseph viewed as a surrogate son, expresses interest in acquiring the company but promises to maintain its original spirit—a commitment Lucy is reluctant to accept.
In a desperate bid to salvage the company, Lucy and Rachel ponder over their authors when they realize that Drew Davis, a current literary sensation, is not the only one they could bank on. Following their revelation that Harris has an outstanding obligation to deliver one more book, they embark on a snow-laden journey to his remote abode.
Upon their arrival, they confront a hesitant Harris who initially welcomes them with skepticism and a loaded gun. After some persuasions, they reveal the pressing need for his manuscript, but the aged writer is adamant about his inability to assist. However, in the solitude of his home, Harris concludes a manuscript titled The Future is X-Rated, a daring tale about humanity’s last survivors.
As Lucy prepares to hand over the business to Jack, a comical turn of events occurs: Harris struggles to cross a busy street with pedestrians angrily honking at him. This becomes a pivotal moment as he presents them with his manuscript, igniting Lucy’s hope. Under the terms of their contract, Harris must promote this book, and despite his disdain for public appearances and reluctance to modify his words, he begins his reluctant journey into the spotlight.
At their first promotional event, things spiral out of control when Harris confronts Halpern Nolan, the New York Times critic, resulting in his arrest and further damaging book sales. As the specter of failure looms over the company, Jack emerges with a lower offer for acquisition, raising the stakes for Lucy and Harris.
In the midst of this chaos, Lucy discovers a bar in Boston that Harris favors, leading to an unexpected success when he unintentionally charms the crowd with his audacious remarks. Although book sales remain tepid, merchandise, specifically t-shirts with his quotes, surprisingly becomes a hit.
Determined to elevate the book’s visibility, Lucy devises a plan to showcase ordinary people reading from Harris’ novel online. This innovative approach works wonders, and the duo soon travels from one low-cost motel to another, with Lucy’s friend Rachel managing the publishing operations back home. During their escapades, an amusing incident occurs at a motel featuring heart-shaped bathtubs, culminating in a heated argument between Lucy and Harris.
As he gains popularity and is booked for The Tonight Show, personal revelations unfold. During one poignant moment, Harris shares his painful backstory of loss and betrayal linked to his late wife, Elizabeth. However, their scheduled television debut is marred by unforeseen circumstances that lead them to visit the nursing home where Joseph resides, where past grievances are unearthed.
Despite the ups and downs, the company finds salvation, with Drew showing interest in joining the fold. Yet, as Harris walks alone in the rain, he faces his own demons, symbolically burning his past works. Lucy learns of his declining health, prompting her to take care of him along with Rachel, while they reflect on his tragic history.
With mounting pressures from creditors and dwindling options, Harris writes one last time on his typewriter. Following the sale of the company, an emotional reckoning occurs, and Lucy scatters Elizabeth’s ashes in a place of cherished memories. Though it remains ambiguous if Harris has passed, a poignant farewell is revealed through a letter that leads Lucy to a trunk filled with his unpublished writings, ensuring his legacy will continue even if he doesn’t.
