Already at the top of her game renowned conductor/composer Lydia Tár (Cate Blanchett) is the first female principal music director of the Berlin Philharmonic.

As a conductor, Lydia not only orchestrates, she manipulates. A trailblazer, the passionate virtuoso leads the way in the male-dominated classical music industry. Lydia prepares for the release of her memoir while juggling work and family. She is also taking up one of her most serious musical challenges: the live recording of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 5.

However there are forces at play which threaten the elaborate professional and personal facade Lydia has built up, revealing hidden secrets and the corrosive nature her power.