Berlin 1931: German scholar and copywriter Jakob Fabian drifts through life. By day, he works as a copywriter for a cigarette company, and by night, he roams Berlin's underworld pubs, brothels, and artist studios with his former classmate Labude. The carefree lives of the two young men are increasingly threatened by a society divided between Communists and National Socialists. One day, Fabian meets Cornelia and falls in love with her. His life takes a dramatic turn when he is fired, while Cornelia's career as an actress gains momentum. Fabian's doubts about the world are immense; he seeks refuge with his parents in Dresden, and there, fate takes its course...

Based on Erich Kästner's novel „The Incident in the Street“ (Der Gang vor die Hunde), which is a reconstruction of the original version of the novel „Fabian.“.

Following the film, a discussion with lead actor Tom Schilling.