It's Vienna at the turn of the 20th century and Alma (SARA WYNTER) is a young woman known for freely speaking her mind when most women wouldn't dare do that. Such critical comments draw the attention of composer Gustav Mahler (JONATHAN PRYCE) who's enticed not only by her criticism of his work, but also her beauty. Despite him nearly being twice her age, the two quickly become lovers.
Several years later, they're married with kids, but Alma has grown unhappy with their relationship, mostly because Gustav wants her to serve him, is financially irresponsible and has strongly encouraged her to stop composing her own music. After one of their daughters dies, Alma goes off to a clinic to deal with her depression and meets Walter Gropius (SIMON VERHOEVEN), a renowned architect and kindred spirit.
The two have an affair, but she decides to stay with Gustav until his death several years later. It's then that she meets painter Oskar Kokoschka (VINCENT PEREZ), but WWI calls him away, thus allowing her to eventually meet novelist and poet Franz Werfel (GREGOR SEBERG). As she makes her way through the various men in her life over the years, Alma inspires their artistic endeavors while trying to cope with society and others' reactions to her lifestyle and persona.