As the celebrated writer and bad boy John Wilmot, second Earl of Rochester, Depp brings to life a decadent 17th century London. There, Wilmot falls passionately in love with his aspiring actress muse (Oscar nominee Samantha Morton), but is cast from the heights of privileged society when he scandalizes King Charles II (Oscar nominee John Malkovich) with a shockingly audacious play. At the depths of ruin, the rebel seeks redemption in his own terms.