Widowed economics professor Walter Vale, portrayed by Richard Jenkins, lives a rather solitary life in Connecticut. His daily routine consists of taking piano lessons to honor the memory of his late wife, a talented classical concert pianist, and attempting to craft a new book, despite facing numerous challenges with both activities. Walter's uneventful life takes a turn when he is requested to present a paper at a conference at New York University. Although he is merely the nominal co-author and has not even read the material, his department head, Charles, insists he participate, leading Walter to reluctantly agree.
Upon arriving at his Manhattan apartment, Walter is shocked to find it occupied by a young couple who rented the space from a con artist. This couple consists of Tarek, a djembe player from Palestine-Syria, and Zainab, a designer of ethnic jewelry from Senegal. Both are revealed to be illegal immigrants. Initially, they prepare to leave the apartment, but Walter, feeling a twinge of compassion, persuades them to stay. Over the next few days, a bond forms as Tarek teaches Walter to play the drum, and they join a lively drum circle in Central Park.
However, their newfound camaraderie faces a setback when Tarek is wrongfully charged with subway fare evasion and finds himself incarcerated in a detention center for illegal immigrants in Queens. To aid Tarek and prevent his deportation, Walter hires an immigration lawyer. As the situation unfolds, Zainab opts to move in with relatives in the Bronx, feeling uneasy about staying in the apartment with Walter.
Adding another layer to the story, Tarek's mother Mouna, portrayed by Danai Gurira, arrives unexpectedly from Michigan after failing to reach her son. Like her son, Mouna is also in the United States illegally, but she accepts Walter's offer to stay in the apartment. An unexpected friendship blossoms between Mouna and Walter, where they share their stories and struggles. Walter confides in Mouna about his unsatisfying life as he teaches the same course for two decades and admits his book remains unfinished. Mouna likewise shares her past, revealing that her journalist husband died after enduring a long politically motivated imprisonment in Syria, and she fears for Tarek's future if he is deported.
As their relationship deepens, they establish a warm domestic routine, with Mouna preparing meals and Walter taking her to see The Phantom of the Opera after learning about her admiration for its original cast recording that Tarek once gifted her.
Tragedy strikes as Tarek is suddenly deported back to Syria, and in her desire to support her son, Mouna decides to follow him, leaving Walter alone once more. In a poignant moment of reflection and connection to Tarek, Walter plays the drum on a subway platform, a symbolic act inspired by Tarek’s wish to perform there one day. This poignant conclusion to Walter's journey encapsulates the deep bonds formed through shared struggles and humanity.
