Robert Pattinson plays the corrupt journalist Georges Duroy, in this feature adaptation of Guy Maupassant's short story of the same title. 

Set in 19th century, Duroy uses his sharp wit and powers of seduction to rise from the cockroach-ridden garrets to the opulent salons of Paris. Via a series of passionate trysts with wealthy beauties played by Uma Thurman, Christina Ricci and Kristin Scott Thomas, Duroy rises from poverty to wealth in a world where sex is power and celebrity an obsession.