In late 1970s England, the life of young Ian Curtis is a whirlwind of emotions and confusion. As he struggles to find his place in a world that seems increasingly chaotic, he becomes the lead singer of an emerging band called Joy Division. Music becomes his refuge, but also a mirror reflecting his inner demons. As the group begins to gain recognition, the pressure of success becomes overwhelming, and Ian feels trapped between the expectations of his career and the complications of his personal life.
His marriage to Deborah is tumultuous, marked by emotional distance and infidelities. Ian's relationship with young Annik is a ray of light, but also a source of pain as he struggles between love and guilt. Ian's battle with depression and his epilepsy leads him to a state of extreme vulnerability, and music, which should be his salvation, becomes a reminder of his own fragility.
As live shows turn into a form of escape, the line between artist and man blurs. Ian plunges into a downward spiral, facing decisions that will lead him to a tragic outcome. In this visceral portrait of an icon's life, the struggle for authenticity and the search for love become the thread that runs through an existence that shone brightly but also burnt out far too fast.