Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) has a successful career as one of the highest-paid screenwriters in Hollywood. When he refuses to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee, which is trying to keep Communist influences out of Hollywood, he gets blacklisted.

However, he continues to write using a pseudonym and even wins two Academy Awards for his screenplays during that time.

Based on the book Dalton Trumbo by Bruce Cook.