In 1978, in the vibrant city of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, local hustler and promoter Paul Snider (Eric Roberts) finds himself captivated by his reflection in a mirror as he rehearses his self-introduction. Known for leveraging his charm at local nightclubs and exploiting women, his relentless ambition and narcissism make him a memorable figure. One fateful evening, while at a Dairy Queen, Paul becomes infatuated with an 18-year-old clerk named Dorothy Stratten (Mariel Hemingway). Their romantic relationship blossoms, and after a few dates, Paul meets Dorothy's family on the night of her senior prom. Tensions rise as both her brother, George, and her mother (Carroll Baker) warmthlessly receive him, though he manages to win over the youngest sibling, Eileen (Lisa Gordon).
At the prom, Dorothy reveals the identity of the "jock" with whom she lost her virginity while under the influence of alcohol, leading to a fit of jealousy from Paul, who discreetly jabs the young man with a penknife. Later, he persuades Dorothy to pose for semi-nude photographs, enlisting a professional photographer to capture her image with the promise of a $1,000 "finder's fee" contingent on a potential Playboy contract. These striking photos manage to catch the eye of Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner (Cliff Robertson), who invites Dorothy to audition in Los Angeles, California. With her mother's disapproval and refusal to sign the parental consent form, Paul forges her signature to push Dorothy's career forward.
Dorothy's audition is a success, landing her the role of centerfold for the August 1979 issue of the magazine. With Hefner's assistance, she secures a position at the local Playboy Club and moves into her own apartment. Meanwhile, Paul engages in a brief affair with an exotic dancer who insinuates that Dorothy might also be unfaithful, fueling his insecurities. In a bid to keep her close, Paul proposes marriage over the phone, eventually traveling to Los Angeles to attend a party at the Playboy Mansion with her. However, his sycophantic demeanor quickly alienates Hefner, and Dorothy encounters film producer Phil Wass (David Clennon), who offers her a small role in the film Ball Bearings. When she tells Hefner about her impending marriage, he cautions her against it, alleging that Paul embodies "the personality of a pimp." Despite this advice, Dorothy remains committed to the marriage, while Hefner keeps her under his watchful contract.
As time passes, Paul branches out into producing a nightclub act featuring male exotic dancers. Meanwhile, Dorothy pursues an acting career, starring in another low-budget movie titled Wednesday's Child. When Paul makes an intrusive phone call during the production, he persuades her to fund the purchase of his expensive Mercedes-Benz, promising to equip it with a custom license plate reading "Star 80." Unable to afford their own home, they settle into a rented place with a young doctor named Geb (David Clennon), who observes Dorothy’s growing disenchantment with Paul.
Confident in Dorothy's potential, Hefner persuades renowned director Aram Nicholas (Roger Rees), inspired by the real-life director Peter Bogdanovich, to cast her in his next movie set to be filmed in New York City. Though Dorothy worries about their relationship, Paul feigns support, more concerned with preserving her celebrity status than her wellbeing. As filming begins, Paul becomes suspicious of Dorothy's interactions with Nicholas and hires a private detective, Josh Mostel, to keep an eye on her.
Despite his own infidelities, such as the affair with Billie Joan Worth, Paul is increasingly agitated by Dorothy's successes and her new romance. As Aram encourages her to leave her troubled marriage, Dorothy confides in him about her husband's controlling nature. Paul, caught up in jealousy, plots to further investigate their relationship and even fantasizes about revenge. Following an enraged confrontation with Dorothy, where she tries to offer him financial support, an explosive chain of tragic events concludes with Paul descending into madness. Convinced of his own betrayal and spiraling into a darker path, he tragically takes Dorothy's life.
In the aftermath of the shocking violence, Paul reflects on his actions amid guilt and despair, leading to a heartbreaking end as he turns the shotgun on himself, muttering, > "They won't forget Paul Snider," before pulling the trigger. The consequences of obsession, fame, and the pursuit of recognition intertwine brutally in this gripping tale of love and its destructive potential.
