In a not-so-distant future, science has developed a revolutionary device that allows people to share and explore their dreams. However, not everything is as idyllic as it seems; a group of scientists discovers that their advancements have fallen into the wrong hands. A mysterious dream thief has begun to manipulate individuals' nightmares, plunging them into a whirlwind of chaos and distress.
The protagonist, a therapist named Atsuko Chiba, uses the technology to treat her patients, immersing herself in their dreams under the pseudonym "Paprika." Her goal is to help people confront their traumas and find emotional healing. But when the dream thief starts to sabotage the project, the boundaries between reality and the dream world begin to blur in an unsettling manner.
As Atsuko delves deeper into this surreal world, she realizes that she must confront her own fears and internal conflicts, all while trying to unravel the connection between her identity and her alter ego. In a visually stunning and profoundly philosophical journey, the film explores themes of the human mind, perception, and the connection between dreams and reality. With vibrant and symbolic animation, the viewer is taken through a labyrinth of emotions and thoughts, where the unexpected becomes the norm and each dream poses a challenge to reason.