Nick Carraway, portrayed by Tobey Maguire, is a Yale graduate and World War I veteran recovering from alcoholism at a sanatorium. He reflects on the enigmatic figure of Jay Gatsby, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, whom he describes as the most optimistic person he has ever encountered. Struggling to articulate his feelings, his doctor, Walter Perkins, encourages him to express himself through writing, a passion of Nick's.
In the summer of 1922, Nick relocates from the Midwest to New York City, abandoning his dream of writing to work as a bond salesman. He rents a modest home in the fictional West Egg, next to Gatsby’s opulent mansion, where lavish parties are the norm. One evening, he visits his cousin Daisy Buchanan, portrayed by Carey Mulligan, and her husband Tom, played by Joel Edgerton. There, Nick meets the cynical golfer Jordan Baker, who hints at a scandalous affair involving Tom and a woman living in the "valley of ashes," a bleak area between their homes and the city.
As Nick learns the details, he accompanies Tom to the valley, where they visit a garage owned by George Wilson and his wife, Myrtle, Tom's mistress. What begins as a seemingly ordinary visit escalates into chaos at an apartment they use for their clandestine meetings, ending with a violent confrontation that results in Tom injuring Myrtle during a heated argument.
As summer unfolds, Nick receives a coveted invitation to one of Gatsby's elaborate soirées. To his surprise, he discovers that none of the attendees have met Gatsby, and various wild rumors circulate about his identity—some claiming he is a German spy, others suggesting he might be a prince or even an assassin. When Nick finally meets Gatsby, he finds him surprisingly youthful and somewhat detached. At the party’s conclusion, Gatsby's butler discreetly informs Jordan of Gatsby's desire to speak with her privately.
Nick and Gatsby's connection grows as Gatsby invites him to join him for lunch, where they encounter Meyer Wolfshiem, a notorious gambler tied to the 1919 World Series scandal. Through these interactions, Nick learns about Gatsby's affluent background and his enduring love for Daisy, which fuels Gatsby’s extravagant lifestyle and wild parties, all in hopes of rekindling their past romance. Gatsby asks Nick to facilitate a reunion with Daisy, which he discreetly organizes by inviting her to tea at his home.
Following a somewhat awkward reconnection, Gatsby and Daisy embark on an affair. However, Gatsby is taken aback to learn that Daisy wishes to escape New York with him, envisioning a life together in his mansion. Nick warns Gatsby that the past cannot be replicated, but he fervently believes it is possible. Striving to keep their secret, Gatsby dismisses most of his staff and puts an end to his extravagant gatherings. Eventually, he calls upon Nick to join him and Jordan at the Buchanans’ to confront Tom about Daisy’s intentions.
During the tense luncheon, Tom's jealousy and suspicion begin to surface as he observes Gatsby's evident affection for Daisy. Unable to contain himself, Gatsby openly declares his love for Daisy, but she hesitates, suggesting they escape to the city. En route to the Plaza Hotel, tensions rise, and Tom takes control of Gatsby’s car, while Gatsby and Daisy journey in Tom's vehicle. Things take a tragic turn when Myrtle, fleeing from her abusive husband, runs into the road, mistaking Gatsby’s car for Tom's, and is tragically killed.
In the aftermath, Gatsby waits outside the Buchanan's mansion, where he believes Daisy will call him. He confesses to Nick that Daisy was driving the car, but he intends to take full responsibility. As he awaits her call, he decides to take a swim in his pool, believing it will bring him closer to Daisy. Instead, he is struck down in a violent act of vengeance from George, Myrtle's husband. The tragic culmination of these events leaves Nick as the sole witness to Gatsby’s reality and sacrifice.
When Nick learns that Daisy, Tom, and their daughter are leaving New York, he is devastated to find that Gatsby's funeral is attended only by a few reporters and voyeurs. Infuriated by the indifference towards Gatsby's demise, he sends them away, realizing that he is the only one who truly understands the man behind the façade. Disillusioned with the city and its inhabitants, Nick ultimately departs New York, reflecting on his experiences and penning his memoirs, which he titles "The Great Gatsby."
