In an alternate version of Los Angeles where humans and puppets coexist, a detective named Phil Phillips, voiced by Bill Barretta, finds himself embroiled in a complex murder investigation that touches the very fabric of puppet society. Once a cop, Phil is now a private investigator, attempting to navigate his new life amidst a backdrop of puppet marginalization. He learns about a distressing case when his secretary, Bubbles, informs him that a female puppet, Sandra White (voiced by Dorien Davies), has sought his assistance due to a threatening note she received.
As Phil engages in the case, he visits a peculiar puppet porn shop, where shocking scenes unfold, including an octopus milking a cow. Here, he encounters Mr. Bumblypants, a puppet grappling with the stigma of addiction. However, the situation escalates when a hooded gunman enters, resulting in a violent confrontation leading to multiple puppet fatalities, including Bumblypants.
The plot thickens as authorities, including [Detective Connie Edwards](melissa-mccarthy), arrive. Their shared past is rocky; the two detectives had a fallout after Phil was dismissed from the force. Now, amidst lingering tension, they face the grim reality of the undead puppets and unravel a narrative of greed—a motive rooted in the cast of the beloved "Happytime Gang." As they investigate deeper, the duo suspects that the deaths may connect to a lucrative deal meant to benefit the remaining cast members, which could have motivated someone to eliminate them.
Phil and Edwards's investigation leads them to confront various characters, including Ronovan Scargle, a show producer Michael McDonald, and a former cast member turned drug lord. Their journey delves into darker themes as they navigate through sugar-addicted puppets and confront political corruption instigated by puppets battling for survival in a world that’s pushed them to the fringes. In an unexpected twist, Phil's old flame Jenny, played by Elizabeth Banks, enters the scene, further complicating matters as the stakes continue to rise.
Throughout their investigation, Phil is haunted by his past mistakes, particularly the incident that led to his estrangement with Edwards—a pivotal moment that changed their lives forever. The narrative crescendos to a shocking climax, revealing a plot of revenge intertwined with personal vendettas that plunge Phil back into a world riddled with betrayal and moral ambiguity.
Ultimately, after a harrowing sequence of events that almost costs them everything, including the life of Jenny and the integrity of Edwards, the mysteries unveil with Phil facing off against Sandra in a high-stakes showdown. The culmination of their journey solidifies both his and Edwards's characters as they triumph over adversity, culminating in a resolution that restores their former lives—both reinstated to their jobs and returning to some semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos of their world.
As Phil embarks on a new romance with Bubbles, the narrative closes with a sense of cautious optimism, hinting at the beauty of second chances in a world where nothing is ever quite what it seems.
