In a dark and turbulent 18th-century Europe, a boy named Gwynplaine is kidnapped by a group of laughter merchants who leave him marked for life. Due to a cruel mutilation, his face is perpetually distorted into a horrifying grimace of laughter. Abandoned and helpless, Gwynplaine finds refuge in the cabin of a blind woman, Dea, who becomes his only source of love and understanding. Despite his tormented past and grotesque appearance, Gwynplaine becomes a performer and makes a living on stage, where his forced smile both fascinates and terrifies audiences alike.
As Gwynplaine navigates the treacherous waters of entertainment, his life intertwines with that of a young noblewoman, who turns out to be the heir of an ancient aristocratic line. As love blossoms between Gwynplaine and Dea, the forces of society, greed, and fate conspire to tear them apart. Gwynplaine's internal struggle between his desire to be loved and his fight against his own curse leads him to a heartbreaking climax. With surprising twists, the story explores themes such as beauty, identity, and the quest for acceptance in a world that judges by appearances. Gwynplaine's legacy endures, inviting the viewer to reflect on the laughter and pain behind the masks we all wear daily.