Mira, une actrice américaine fatiguée des blockbusters, débarque à Paris pour tourner dans un film d'auteur français.

Mira fait ses premiers essais en costume devant la caméra. Sur le plateau, le ton monte entre René et l'un des acteurs.

Mira et une partie de l'équipe se retrouvent à une fête à Montreuil. Le lendemain, le tournage se révèle difficile.

Mira courts offers from both her agent and the production’s financier, who promises a lucrative – but morally compromising – advertising deal. When actress Cynthia Keng arrives on set, René experiences a crisis of faith – and turns to his star for advice. Later, Mira plays hard to get before receiving an unexpected visitor.

After shooting an iconic moment in which Moreno kidnaps Irma Vep, René faces backlash over the scene’s sexual implications. Unwilling to waver, René cites attempted censorship of 1916’s The Vampires – and original Irma Vep’s courageous fight to keep her film alive. Meanwhile, Mira deals with complex emotions as she sinks deeper into her character.

After an epic blow-up on set, the fate of Rene's series is put in jeopardy. Rene gets a visit from a ghost as the production team considers taking The Vampires in a new direction that would reunite Mira with a figure from her past. All the while, Mira grows more entwined with her role as Irma Vep.

Mira uses her newfound powers as Irma Vep to probe deeper into the lives of those around her. Regina shares news that threatens to upend her relationship with Mira. Mira experiences a spiritual breakthrough after a visit with Rene.