Europe, 1921: In a desperate search for a fresh start and the American dream, Ewa (Marion Cotillard) and her sister Magda emigrate from their native Poland to New York. Upon their arrival at Ellis Island, however, doctors diagnose Magda with a lung disease and the two sisters are separated. While Magda is in quarantine, Ewa ends up alone on the unforgiving streets of Manhattan. Alone, without a place of refuge, money and desperate to see her sister again, she falls into the clutches of Bruno (Joaquin Phoenix), a charming but sly guy who takes her in and forces her into prostitution. One day, however, Ewa meets the fascinating magician Orlando (Jeremy Renner) - Bruno's cousin. He takes her heart by storm and quickly becomes her only chance to escape the nightmare she has fallen into.