In 1897, the renowned writer Oscar Wilde, portrayed by Rupert Everett, emerges from prison after enduring a sentence for gross indecency. Separated from his beloved wife, Constance Wilde, and their children, he makes his way to Dieppe, where he is greeted by loyal friends Reggie Turner and Robert Ross. Adopting the alias Sebastian Melmoth, he strives to piece his life back together, attempting to reconcile with Constance through heartfelt letters that sadly go unanswered.
However, Oscar's newfound freedom is marred by the unwanted attention of young Englishmen who mock him. In desperation, he retreats to a church, where he finds himself in a violent confrontation with his pursuers. This incident catches the attention of the police, who deliver stern warnings to him.
Oscar soon embarks on a path that rekindles a relationship with his former lover, Bosie Douglas, played by Colin Morgan. This reunion creates tension with Robbie, whose suppressed feelings for Oscar leave him feeling betrayed. Together, Oscar and Bosie escape to Naples, embracing a life devoid of societal norms, indulging in their libertine desires. However, the financial support from Bosie's mother dwindles as she demands her son sever ties with Oscar. Despite their love, the couple succumbs to her demand and separates. Tragedy strikes when Constance passes away following surgery, leading to the heartbreaking loss of any contact with their children for Oscar.
Now lost for inspiration and in deep despair, Oscar relocates to Paris, relying on the kindness of old friends. His quest for solace reunites him with Reggie and Robbie, but he is met with disappointment as Bosie, now wealthy after inheriting from his father, coldly denies him support. Meanwhile, Oscar's health spirals downward; he experiences phantom ailments he suspects are linked to syphilis, though he attributes them to mussel poisoning.
In his darkest moments, Oscar connects with two impoverished brothers, sharing in their sorrows. The elder becomes a close companion, while the younger yearns to hear the enchanting tale of The Happy Prince, a story Oscar once told his children. As Oscar's condition deteriorates, he undergoes a painful operation for an ear abscess, which leads to severe infections post-surgery. With dwindling strength, he requests the extreme unction of the Catholic church in his final hours, passing away surrounded by a few steadfast friends.
At his funeral, Robbie confronts Bosie, accusing him of hypocrisy for mourning the man he abandoned. Bosie's retort reveals his belief that he alone will be remembered alongside Oscar, while Robbie risks fading into obscurity. The poignant closing headlines reveal the fates of these intertwined lives: Bosie dies in solitude and poverty in 1945, while Robbie, who passed away in 1918, lies in a grave shared with Oscar himself. Remarkably, it was not until 2017 that Oscar was pardoned along with others wronged by laws against homosexuality.
