In a 1970s Los Angeles, where counterculture is in full swing and hippie ideals begin to crumble, a laid-back private detective with a love for both liquid and solid substances navigates a sea of madness and conspiracies. Doc Sportello, a former lover of the rock and party scene, receives an unexpected visit from his ex-girlfriend, Shasta Fay Hepworth. She reveals that her new lover, a real estate mogul, is in the sights of a dangerous organization and pleads with him to help her get him out of trouble.
As Doc immerses himself in the investigation, he finds himself entangled in a labyrinth of eccentric characters, from a trusted surgeon to mobsters that seem to have stepped out of a farcical comedy. Each clue draws him further from reality and closer to absurd situations that defy logic. At the same time, his quest is not only for the truth about Shasta's lover's kidnapping but also for what truly matters in a world that seems to be falling apart. With a blend of wild humor and a nostalgic tone, the story unfolds like a psychedelic journey that reveals not just the decay of an era but also the complexities of love and loyalty. Ultimately, it is a chaotic and fascinating ride that reflects a time when everything seemed possible yet was simultaneously fading away.