In the vibrant world of classical music in Berlin, renowned conductor Lydia Tár is at the peak of her career. Acclaimed for her talent and infamous for her commanding personality, she is preparing to record an interpretation of Mahler's Symphony that promises to be a milestone in her journey. The plot unfolds in a labyrinth of ambition and power, depicting Lydia's life as she navigates rehearsals, meetings, and the pressure of a black swan named perfection.
However, her life begins to unravel as a series of unforeseen events start to hit her. The perceptions of her circle begin to change, and tensions in her personal and professional life come to light. As her reputation teeters, Lydia confronts questions about her art, her passion, and the price she has paid to get to where she is.
Caught between an obsession with control and the echoes of a past she cannot shake off, the film becomes a profound study of power dynamics in the musical realm and the role of women in a male-dominated environment. With masterful use of sound and an immersive narrative, viewers find themselves immersed in the palpable tension and, at the same time, in the sublime beauty of the music. The film challenges us to look not only inward at Lydia but also into the dark corners of ambition in any form of art.