A married couple's lives are transformed when the husband, a celebrated painter in 1920s Copenhagen, begins to discover his identity as a woman after posing in women's clothing for his wife's portrait. As Einar Wegener embraces her true self and becomes Lili Elbe, she pursues one of the earliest known gender reassignment surgeries, whilst her devoted wife Gerda must reconcile her love for her spouse with the profound changes reshaping their marriage. The film explores themes of identity, courage, and sacrifice against the backdrop of early twentieth-century Europe.