In the heart of modern America, Binx Bolling embarks on a quest for life's deeper meaning. Constantly torn between societal expectations and personal distractions, he grapples with existential questions. Frequent visits to his great-aunt Emily’s home bring discussions about life's cosmic significance, yet Binx remains detached, immersing himself in films and television, and navigating his role as a stockbroker with entanglements with his secretaries.

Family Ties and Expectations

Aunt Emily enlists Binx’s assistance to prevent a looming "nervous break-down" in his distant cousin, Kate Cutrer. Having discovered Kate's hidden stash of whiskey and sodium pentobarbital, Emily hopes Binx can offer comfort and distraction. During another visit, Binx encounters Walter Wade, a former fraternity brother and Kate's fiancé, while they plan for Mardi Gras with Uncle Jules. This meeting underscores Binx's complicated personal ties, contrasting his carefree lifestyle with familial obligations.

Mardi Gras and Mixed Emotions

As Mardi Gras unfolds, Binx and Kate choose to share this festive moment, witnessing the parade alongside Walter before retreating to the escapism of cinema. Their mutual companionship deepens, gradually fostering romantic feelings that lead Kate to break off her engagement with Walter. Binx finds himself drawn to his secretary, Sharon Kincaid, yet ultimately realizes it is Kate that holds his heart. Meanwhile, Sharon reveals her affections for someone else, clarifying Binx's own desires.

Proposals and Escapes

When Binx proposes to Kate, her hesitation leaves him in uncertainty. The following day, a chance outing with Sharon leads to a minor car accident, followed by a picnic filled with superficial declarations of love. Binx introduces Sharon to his family, only to fall back into his habitual cinema routine. The mundanity of these gestures contrasts sharply with the weight of his unresolved emotions for Kate.

A Crisis and a Turning Point

Returning from church with his mother, Binx learns of Kate’s suicide attempt, thwarted in time by Aunt Emily's intervention. Despite discussions between Emily and Binx about Kate's future, no clear resolution emerges. Their conversations reveal deep mutual understanding yet underscore Binx's inability to affirm life's meaning, reflecting his own existential void.

Journey to Chicago

Faced with a business trip to Chicago, Binx impulsively decides to bring Kate along, keeping this from Aunt Emily. Their journey by train is marred by an unexpected encounter with acquaintances, stirring reflections on life’s purpose. Binx's recurring thoughts about his existential search punctuate their dialogues, though they reach no profound conclusions. In Chicago, Binx’s perfunctory business dealings are interspersed with another cinematic escape, leaving Kate alone at the hotel.

Return to Reality

A furious call from Emily disrupts their stay in Chicago, prompting a swift return by bus. Back in New Orleans, they sidestep Mardi Gras festivities, anticipating the inevitable confrontation with Emily. Her sharp reprimand evolves into a broader critique of societal values, leaving Binx apologetic yet unchanged. Emily's assertion that "Ours is the only civilization in history which has enshrined mediocrity as its national ideal," resonates with Binx, who intimately understands this plight of mediocrity.

Confronting Truths

Escaping Emily’s scolding, Binx finds solace in Kate, who has overheard the entire exchange. As he marks his thirtieth birthday, Binx reflects on his "dark pilgrimage," acknowledging that “Nothing remains but desire”—a relentless yearning for life, love, and meaning, despite recognizing the futility of such pursuits.

New Beginnings

In a conclusion that feels more like a beginning, Kate and Binx marry. Sharon Kincaid also weds her boyfriend, marking a shift in personal dynamics. Yet, the search for life's meaning continues, its urgency diminished but not extinguished, leaving Binx contemplating the journey ahead, newly aware that the pursuit itself may be the only certainty.