Bettie Page is a deeply ambitious yet naïve young woman, devoted to her Christian faith. Yearning to break free from her traumatic past, which includes experiences of sexual abuse, a failed wartime marriage, and a harrowing gang rape, she leaves her home in Nashville, Tennessee, for New York City in 1949. There, she enrolls in an acting class, hoping to find a new path.
Her life takes a turn when she catches the eye of amateur photographer Jerry Tibbs during a stroll on Coney Island beach. She agrees to model for him, and he encourages her to reinvent her look, proposing the bangs that would become her iconic trademark. Bettie quickly rises to fame among nature photographers, including Bunny Yeager, who captures her in stunning poses with leopards. She is remarkably comfortable with her body, often disrobing at the request of various photographers.
As Bettie's reputation grows, her allure catches the attention of Paula and Irving Klaw, sibling entrepreneurs managing a respectable business in movie memorabilia, who also dabbles in fetish photography. With the guidance of their top model, Maxie, Bettie soon finds herself immersed in the world of BDSM fashion, donning leather corsets and thigh-high boots, wielding whips and chains. Unbeknownst to her, the sexualized nature of her newfound fame attracts an underground audience of bondage lovers who eagerly consume her provocative images.
In 1955, Bettie is unexpectedly summoned to testify at a hearing led by Senator Estes Kefauver, who investigates the influence of pornography on American youth. After an excruciating 12-hour wait, she is dismissed without explanation, which leaves her questioning her path in the world of entertainment. Discovering that casting directors are more intrigued by her scandalous reputation than any acting skill, she retreats to Miami Beach, where she confronts her uncertain future.
Amidst this turmoil, she stumbles upon a small evangelical church, which ultimately rekindles her faith. Embracing Jesus Christ during an altar call, she joyously declares that she is unashamed of her past, eager to return to her spiritual roots. Now, she shares the message of the gospel on street corners, hoping to impart her newfound purpose to others.
Back in New York, the stress of the evolving situation weighs heavily on Irving, whose health declines rapidly. Faced with the threat of prosecution, he decides that they must destroy their extensive collection of erotic photographs and films, a request that Paula reluctantly agrees to fulfill. However, she secretly salvages the negatives of many of Bettie's most iconic images, preserving her legacy for future generations to discover and appreciate.
