- Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter in 1950s Hollywood, is found dead in a swimming pool. The story then unfolds as a flashback narrated by Joe himself.
- Joe, evading debt collectors, takes shelter in a rundown mansion on Sunset Boulevard, where he meets Norma Desmond, a faded silent film star.
- Norma lives in the past and believes she is still a major star. She has written a script for her comeback and hires Joe to edit it.
- Joe accepts Norma’s offer in exchange for money and lodging, becoming increasingly dependent on her.
- Max, Norma’s loyal butler, is later revealed to be her ex-husband and former director, who writes her fan letters to maintain her illusions of fame.
- Joe reconnects with Betty Schaefer, a young script reader engaged to his friend Artie. They begin collaborating on a screenplay and grow close.
- Norma becomes emotionally unstable and possessive. When Joe tries to leave, she attempts suicide, prompting him to stay out of guilt.
- Paramount Studios calls Norma, but it’s only about borrowing her antique car—not about her script. She misinterprets this as interest in her comeback.
- She visits the studio and is warmly greeted by director Cecil B. DeMille, who humours her while avoiding discussion of her script.
- Norma, believing her return to stardom is near, undergoes beauty treatments and becomes more hopeful and deluded.
- Joe continues working secretly with Betty, and their relationship deepens.
- Norma discovers Joe’s relationship with Betty and confronts him. She calls Betty to reveal the truth about his situation.
- Betty comes to the mansion, and Joe tells her to leave, pretending he’s content with Norma to protect Betty from the truth.
- Joe finally decides to leave Norma, telling her that her script is unfilmable and that her career is over.
- Norma, in a fit of rage and despair, shoots Joe as he is walking out. His body falls into the pool—the opening scene of the story.
- Police and media arrive at the scene. Norma, completely unhinged, believes she is on a movie set.
- Max sets up the scene as if directing, and Norma descends the staircase, addressing the cameras: “And now, Mr. DeMille, I am ready for my close-up.”
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