Being John Malkovich

Craig Schwartz, a struggling puppeteer, performs a bizarre puppet show in his small New York apartment. Introduces eccentricity and existential dissatisfaction.

The story hints at identity, control, and the desire to escape oneself: humans yearn to experience other lives and redefine themselves.

Craig gets fired from his office job, meets the quirky puppeteer Maxine, and discovers a mysterious portal behind a filing cabinet that enters John Malkovich's mind.

Craig and Maxine realize the portal allows people to inhabit John Malkovich's consciousness for 15 minutes. This opens the door to identity manipulation and personal obsession.

Craig struggles with ethics: should he profit from controlling another person? Lotte, Maxine, and Craig's own desires create tension and romantic entanglements.

Craig, Maxine, and Lotte start exploiting the portal commercially, letting people live as Malkovich, escalating greed, obsession, and power dynamics.

Romantic and emotional complications: Maxine and Lotte manipulate Craig emotionally, while Craig desires control over Malkovich's life, reflecting human longing and insecurity.

The portal leads to absurd and comedic sequences: inhabiting Malkovich, exploring his consciousness, and orchestrating bizarre scenarios that combine humor, identity confusion, and desire.

Craig attempts to dominate Malkovich completely, blurring morality and obsession. Stakes rise as personal relationships fracture and identity ethics are challenged.

Lotte betrays Craig, Maxine manipulates both; the portal is now a source of conflict rather than amusement. The consequences of controlling another's life become apparent.

Craig loses both control and trust. The personal and ethical failures culminate, creating emotional and existential despair.

Craig reflects on obsession, identity, and loneliness, realizing the dangers of trying to live through another person's life.

Craig takes action to reclaim autonomy and face the consequences of his choices, attempting to restore some moral and personal balance.

Craig confronts Lotte and Maxine, and the portal is closed to the public, ending exploitation. Characters confront their obsessions, limitations, and humanity.

Craig is alone in his apartment, back in the real world, contemplative and humbled, symbolizing the contrast between desire, obsession, and self-acceptance.