Cold Souls

Paul Giamatti, playing an actor, grapples with severe depression while working on the play 'Uncle Vanya'. Set against the bustling backdrop of New York City, he faces both personal and professional demons that take a toll on his well-being.

After receiving a suggestion from his agent and reading an intriguing article in the New Yorker, Paul discovers a unique establishment specializing in soul storage. This piques his interest as he considers the potential for alleviating his emotional burden.

At the soul storage establishment, Paul meets Dr. Flintstein, who explains the ins and outs of soul extraction. Dr. Flintstein showcases containers holding the essences of various celebrities, presented as ordinary objects, which adds to the bizarre nature of the experience.

Intrigued by the process, Paul decides to undergo soul extraction. He endures a bizarre procedure reminiscent of Michael Jackson's hyperbaric chamber, emerging with a container that contains only 95 percent of his soul, resembling a chickpea.

Nina arrives in New York from St. Petersburg, using the alias Olga. Her journey begins with a series of awkward moments at the airport, where she has her photo taken and fingerprints recorded, marking the start of a secretive new life.

Once in her hotel room, Nina reveals her natural blonde hair, coming clean about her secretive persona by removing her black wig and fake fingerprints. This moment highlights her dual life and the complexities of her character.

In Russia, Nina’s employer, Dimitri, operates a similar soul storage business, extracting and selling Russian souls to Americans. Nina acts as a discreet 'mule,' frequently traveling back to New York with souls in tow.

A woman in Russia desperately seeks to reclaim her soul from Dimitri’s operation. However, she is informed that her contract prevents her from retrieving it, illustrating the harsh realities of the soul storage business.

Sveta, Dimitri's stunning wife who once starred in soap operas, falls into despair and rumors circulate that she might acquire a soul from the U.S., specifically one from Al Pacino. This rumor adds to the tension surrounding soul extraction.

In hopes of improving his acting skills, Paul decides to implant the soul of a Russian poet. This decision temporarily boosts his performance, but he feels no lasting sense of fulfillment or happiness.

During one of her visits, Nina cleverly distracts the receptionist, Stephanie, to steal Paul's soul—the only one the business has in possession. This theft sets off a series of unexpected and chaotic events.

Upon discovering that his soul is missing, Paul urgently tracks down Nina to retrieve it. This quest takes them both on an unexpected journey from New York to Russia, challenging both their motives and resolve.

At a party, Sveta is drugged, leading to the extraction of Paul's essence, which is then reduced to a dried chickpea-like semblance. This event marks a low point in Paul's chaotic journey, intertwining his fate with Sveta's.

Paul and Nina visit the home of the late poet Olga, who had tragically taken her own life. This visit serves as a moment of reflection for both characters and reveals the depths of the soul's impact on one's life.

Upon returning to New York City, Paul finds himself confronted by Homeland Security aiming to dismantle the soul storage operation. In a heartening twist, Paul recovers his soul and feels joy again, while Nina comes to terms with her own heartache over her inability to reclaim her essence.