The story took place in 1921. Ai Wa (Marion Cotillard) and her sister Ma GeDa (Angela Sarafyan) could not withstand the neon temptation of the bustling city, leaving for Poland to travel to New York to pan gold. Halfway through, Magda unfortunately contracted tuberculosis, which was an incurable disease at the time, so she was isolated by the doctor in the hospital on Ellis Island, and the two sisters who were like brothers and sisters parted ways. After arriving in New York, Ai Wa discovered that everything here was far less beautiful than in her fantasy. She unfortunately fell into the hands of pimp Bruno (Joaquin Phoenix) and became a prostitute. Ai Wa's life is full of pain and humiliation, and being able to meet her sister again has become the only belief in her heart. By chance, Ava met a magician named Orlando (Jeremy Renner), and kind Orlando made Ava understand that he might be the only springboard for her new life.