In mid-20th century England, a butler named Stevens has dedicated his life to serving in an exquisite aristocratic home, Darlington Hall. His days are marked by a strict professional ethic and an unwavering commitment to perfection in his work. However, the arrival of a new housekeeper, the charismatic Miss Kenton, will awaken feelings in him that he believed he had locked away. As Stevens and Miss Kenton begin to collaborate and get to know each other, the tensions between his hidden emotions and his unyielding loyalty to duty become increasingly evident.
The plot unfolds in an endearing journey through memories of the past and moments of the present, revealing the complicated relationship between the two protagonists. As Stevens embarks on a road trip to visit Miss Kenton, who has moved away and is living a completely different life, he reflects on the story of his life, the choices he has made, and what he has sacrificed along the way. Conversations with Miss Kenton reignite nostalgia and sadness for what could have been. In the context of social and political changes in the post-war era, Stevens faces the reality that time has passed, leaving him caught between the search for redemption and the yearning for a love that never materialized. This profound exploration of dignity and sacrifice invites us to question how much we are willing to give up in the name of duty and loyalty.