Nico, 1988 2018

During the tumultuous days of World War II, a young Christa Päffgen—who would later reinvent herself as Nico—observes the devastating bombing of Berlin from a distance, forever marking her childhood. Fast forward to 1988, Nico finds herself in Manchester, having made a name as both a model and a singer with the iconic band, Velvet Underground. Despite her fame, she yearns to escape discussions about her chaotic past, choosing instead to embrace the persona of a bohemian artist. With ambitions to tour Europe, she teams up with her manager, Richard, who diligently assembles a band for their journey.

However, Nico’s struggle with heroin addiction begins to cast a shadow over her newfound success. Her temperament turns sharp as she snaps at Richard, delivers difficult performances, and harshly scolds her band during a concert in Italy, ultimately walking off stage in frustration. In the midst of this chaos, she seeks solace in her friendship with Dome La Muerte, who attempts to redirect her focus towards her performances. Nico confides in him that the lavish lifestyle she leads is a welcome distraction from the periods of hunger and despair she faced after the war’s end.

Before a pivotal concert in Paris, Nico reveals during an interview her connection to her son, Ari, sharing how her tumultuous lifestyle made motherhood impossible for her when he was born. Nico’s journey takes her to visit Ari in a French institution, where he’s been placed due to his own struggles with drug addiction and a recent suicide attempt. In a daring move, Richard arranges for Nico to perform an impromptu concert in communist Czechoslovakia, spurred on by local dissident artists. Tensions rise when Nico cannot secure heroin before the gig, leading to accusations against the hosts. However, Richard reminds her of the love her music holds for fans worldwide and the risks they face in attending her performance.

As the concert unfolds, Nico captivates the audience with a heartfelt performance, but the event is abruptly interrupted when police storm the venue. The band narrowly escapes to West Germany, gearing up for Nico’s climactic final tour performance in West Berlin. Following a particularly inspiring gig, Richard vows to help Nico overcome her addiction and reunite her with Ari. Encouraged by Richard, she gradually steps away from drugs, yet tragedy strikes when Ari attempts suicide again, leading to another hospitalization.

Reflecting on her future, Nico confides in Dome her desire to step back from the stage and embrace aging with grace. After Ari’s release from the hospital, Richard suggests a restorative vacation for mother and son. With a new contract negotiation in place that ensures they both receive royalties from her Velvet Underground days, Nico promises to record a new album with Ari upon her return.

She sets off to Ibiza for her holiday, but the credits reveal a tragic twist—Nico passed away on July 18, 1988, at the age of 49, following a cycling accident, leaving behind a legacy steeped in both artistry and struggle.