Once Upon a Time 2017

As February 1969 unfolded, Hollywood actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), a former television sensation from the golden age of Western series like Bounty Law, found himself grappling with the harsh realities of his fading career. His trusted friend and former stunt double, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), listened intently as Dalton lamented his decline, pouring out his frustrations over lunch with Producer and Agent Marvin Schwarz. The latter’s candid assessment drove home the painful truth: playing guest roles in network shows would irreparably damage Dalton’s reputation. With this crushing blow, Dalton was forced to confront the cold, hard fact that he had officially been relegated to “has-been” status.

As Booth navigated the streets of Los Angeles, his trusty pit bull Brandy by his side, Dalton’s fortunes seemed inextricably linked to those of his friend. Rumors surrounding Booth’s past continued to circulate, perpetuating the notion that he had dispatched his wife – a claim that kept him persona non grata among Hollywood’s elite. Booth’s reliance on Dalton for work was a direct result of this toxic reputation.

Meanwhile, actress Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) and her husband, director Roman Polanski (Rafal Zawierucha), had settled into the adjacent property to Dalton’s own, sparking the actor’s desire to rekindle his connection with the young couple. Perhaps, he mused, befriending them would be the key to reclaiming his status as a leading man.

That evening, Tate and Polanski joined Jay Sebring (Emile Hirsch), a celebrated hairstylist and friend-turned-ex-boyfriend of Tate’s, at a glamorous soiree held at the Playboy Mansion – an exclusive gathering that drew Hollywood’s A-list elite. Back at Dalton’s residence, Booth found himself reminiscing about a spirited sparring match he had engaged in on the set of The Green Hornet with none other than Bruce Lee (Mike Moh).

Unbeknownst to Dalton and his neighbor, the Polanski-Tate household was soon visited by Charles Manson (Damon Herriman), whose search for record producer Terry Melcher ultimately proved fruitless. Sebring turned him away, unaware that this chance encounter would have far-reaching consequences.

As Booth cruised through the night in Dalton’s car, he stumbled upon a young hitchhiker known as “Pussycat” (Margaret Qualley). Her allure was short-lived, however, as he soon dropped her off at Spahn Ranch – a filming location from his Bounty Law days. The ranch, once home to hippies and thespians alike, had since fallen into disarray under the watchful eye of its elderly caretaker, George Spahn (Bruce Dern). Booth’s instincts proved eerily prescient as he sensed something amiss amidst the sprawling property, only to be dismissed by Spahn himself.

As Booth (character A) returns to their vehicle, they’re met with a senseless act of vandalism - Clem Grogan (James Landry Hébert), one of the Manson girls’ associates, has maliciously slashed the tire. Incensed, Booth delivers a brutal beating and forces Grogan to perform the arduous task of changing the tire. Meanwhile, Sundance (Cassidy Vick Hice) hastens to fetch Tex Watson (Austin Butler), only to find that by the time Watson arrives on horseback, Booth has already departed from the scene.

Tate decides to take a stroll and, in an unexpected turn, finds herself drawn to the local movie theater, where she becomes mesmerized by her own performance in The Wrecking Crew. In a separate development, Dalton lands a role as a villain in the TV series Lancer, striking up a conversation with his young co-star, Trudi (Julia Butters). As he navigates the demands of his character, Dalton struggles to deliver his lines due to the debilitating effects of his alcoholism.

After an emotional breakdown in his trailer, Dalton regains his composure and delivers a powerful performance that impresses both Sam Wanamaker (Nicholas Hammond), the director, and Trudi, thus boosting Dalton’s confidence. Following this transformative experience, Dalton becomes aware of Marvin Schwarz’s (Al Pacino) offer to star in a Spaghetti Western in Italy. Initially skeptical about the genre, Dalton reluctantly accepts the opportunity, accompanied by Booth for their six-month stint.

During his time abroad, Dalton films four movies, including Nebraska Jim with Sergio Corbucci, and gets married. Upon returning to Los Angeles, Dalton informs Booth that he can no longer afford his services, leading them to agree on parting ways. As a farewell gesture, they share drinks at home, where Booth smokes an acid-laced cigarette and takes Brandy for a walk. Unbeknownst to them, Tex Watson (Austin Butler), Susan Atkins (Mikey Madison), Linda Kasabian (Maya Hawke), and Patricia Krenwinkel (Madisen Beaty) have parked their loud 1959 Ford Galaxie outside Tate’s residence, poised to commit the heinous crime. Dalton, sensing something amiss, emerges from his home and demands that they leave.

As the night wears on, Atkins’ malevolent intentions simmer just below the surface. Abandoning their getaway, he concocts a sinister plan to exact revenge on Dalton instead. The remaining trio, now in cahoots with Atkins, embark on a furtive mission to infiltrate Dalton’s domain. Under the cover of darkness, they breach his home and confront Booth, who recognizes them as familiar faces from the Spahn Ranch gathering. Seizing control, Booth commands Brandy to strike, unleashing a brutal assault that claims Krenwinkel and Watson’s lives, while leaving Atkins gravely wounded. As he stumbles out into the night, brandishing a gun, Dalton, oblivious to the chaos unfolding within, is startled by the sudden commotion. Seizing the opportunity, Dalton retrieves a flamethrower left over from a film shoot and unleashes its fiery fury upon Atkins, reducing him to ashes. Meanwhile, Booth is rushed to the hospital to tend to his injuries. As the night wears on, Dalton receives an invitation from Tate, broadcasted over the intercom, to join her and her still-breathless guests - Sebring, Abigail Folger (Samantha Robinson) and Wojciech Frykowski (Costa Ronin) - for drinks at her residence, where a surprise awaits.