Note: the characters in this film are unnamed and are referred to by descriptors.
The story unfolds with a woman engulfed in flames, her flesh burning away as ominous screams echo around her. We then shift focus to a man known as "Him", portrayed by Javier Bardem, who carefully places a crystal object in his bedroom. With this act, the once charred and derelict house transforms into a beautifully refurbished home. Soon after, Mother, played by Jennifer Lawrence, appears in bed next to Him. Noticing he is missing, she calls out, “Baby?” but receives no response.
As she wanders through the house—seemingly devoid of life—she steps onto the porch, only to be startled by Him who approaches from behind, enveloping her in a comforting hug. Him is a celebrated poet grappling with a profound writer’s block following the tragic death of his first wife. Meanwhile, Mother attempts to beautify the home by painting one of the walls, only to have a vision of a beating heart within it.
Their respite is interrupted by a knock at the door, heralding the arrival of a stranger referred to as "Man," played by Ed Harris. Him welcomes him warmly, although Mother feels an unsettling aura surrounding his presence. Man has come under the impression that the house operates as a bed-and-breakfast. While Him engages in conversation with Man, Mother tries to conceal her discomfort, feeling neglected despite her own love for his work. When concerns arise over Man's violent coughing fits, Mother watches apprehensively as a piece of flesh disappears from his ribs, which Him tries to obscure.
The following day, curious about Man's health, Mother learns he feels splendid. Shortly after, another knock at the door introduces Man's wife, known as "Woman," portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer. Him graciously invites her in as he and Man embark on a hike, leaving Mother alone to converse with Woman. She probes Mother with intrusive questions regarding whether she and Him intend to have children, whilst expressing her desire to visit Him's office—an invitation Mother firmly denies.
Upon their return, another coughing spell afflicts Man, prompting Him to reveal his dire health condition, informing Mother that Man's time is running out. Subsequently, Man and Woman unintentionally shatter the crystal object in Him's office, leaving him in despair. As tension mounts, Mother confronts Man and Woman, demanding their departure, but the couple instead withdraws to a bedroom, succumbing to intimacy.
Their absence leads to the arrival of Man and Woman's feuding sons, who argue about their father's will, prompting violence. A horrific altercation begins, resulting in grievous injuries. Him ultimately carries the injured brother to the hospital, with Man and Woman following.
While cleaning up the aftermath, a stain of blood remains stubbornly in place, leading Mother to uncover the sinister essence of their house—blood leaking into the basement. When others return, Him informs Mother of the younger brother's death, and a wake is held, drawing further strangers to pay their respects. Overwhelmed by the unruly guests and their behavior, Mother voices her frustrations to Him, only for them to be consumed by passion, yet again.
The story progresses as Mother discovers she is pregnant, filling Him with inspiration to write. Joyous news follows as He garners attention from The Herald, played by [Kristen Wiig]. However, Mother’s joy turns into a nightmare when the throng of enthusiastic fans begins to invade their home, turning chaotic and violent. She experiences ominous pains that resonate through the house.
As the tensions culminate, the fans—revealed to be part of a pagan cult—execute brutal acts against one another as they swarm the house. Mother, caught in the turmoil, is forced into labor. Despite giving birth to a son, Him betrays her trust and presents their child to the very people who threaten them. The tragic moment unfolds as the adoring crowd takes their baby, leading to unspeakable horror.
Consumed with despair and rage, Mother finally confronts the chaos by setting the house ablaze, resulting in a cataclysmic explosion that engulfs everyone—leaving her deeply scarred as Him remains unscathed. In the aftermath, amidst the ashes, Mother questions Him about his identity. He responds, “I am I and you are home.” Their tragic ending complicates further as He reveals his desires, extracting her heart and recreating the cycle anew by placing the crystal object where it once was, as a young woman emerges again, echoing the past with a familiar call for her lost husband, "Baby?"
