"The Humorist" follows a week in the life of Boris Arkadiev, a fictional soviet stand-up comedian. Boris is tormented not only by external oppression and censorship but also by his own insecurities that poison all his relationships. Fame, combined with lack of personal freedom, is driving him crazy, especially when the same people who dictate what he can and can't joke about keep summoning Arkadiev to their villas and saunas as a kind of court jester. Finally, the comedian snaps. Armed with the exotic American notion of "insult humor", Boris takes his revenge.