Paul Giamatti stars as an actor grappling with depression in the bustling metropolis of New York City. Struggling with his role in Uncle Vanya, he finds himself at a crossroads when a suggestion from his agent and an intriguing article in New Yorker lead him to a unique establishment specializing in soul storage. There, he meets Dr. Flintstein, who explains the potential benefits and pitfalls of soul extraction while showcasing containers that hold the essences of various celebrities, all resembling ordinary objects. Intrigued, Paul decides to undergo the procedure, enduring a process in a contraption reminiscent of Michael Jackson's hyperbaric chamber. However, he learns that only 95 percent of his soul has been removed, leaving him with a container that suspiciously resembles a chickpea.
Meanwhile, a young woman named Nina arrives from St. Petersburg, under the alias Olga. Her journey begins awkwardly at the airport, where she must have her photo taken and fingerprints recorded. Upon reaching her hotel, she reveals her natural blonde hair after removing the short black wig and fake fingerprint, illustrating her secretive nature. As Paul battles his personal and professional demons, Nina's employer, Dimitri, runs a similar soul storage operation in Russia. He extracts and sells the souls of Russians to Americans, with Nina being a discreet "mule" who frequently visits the New York establishment. One desperate woman in Russia seeks the return of her soul but is informed that her contract prevents it.
Amid this chaos, Sveta, Dimitri’s stunning wife who once graced soap operas, finds herself in despair, prompting rumors that she might receive a soul from the U.S.—specifically, one from Al Pacino. In hopes of enhancing his performance, Paul decides to implant the soul of a Russian poet, which temporarily boosts his ability to act, yet his sense of fulfillment still eludes him.
In a daring move during one of her visits, Nina distracts the receptionist, Stephanie, to sneak a peek at the files, ultimately stealing Paul's soul—the only one in possession of the business. Once he realizes that his soul is missing, Paul tracks Nina down and insists on its retrieval, leading them both on an unexpected journey to Russia. Sveta's unwillingness to give up her soul becomes a problem when she is drugged during a party, allowing Paul’s essence to be extracted and reduced to a dried chickpea semblance.
The narrative culminates with Paul and Nina’s visit to the late poet Olga's home, who had tragically taken her own life. Upon returning to New York City, Paul is greeted with the intervention of Homeland Security, which aims to dismantle the soul storage enterprise. In a heartening twist, Paul recovers his soul, finding joy once more. However, Nina faces her own heartache, as she learns that the residue from the souls she has transported prevents her from reclaiming her own essence.
