The French Dispatch is an American magazine being published in the French city of Ennui-sur-Blasé. When its editor-in-chief, Arthur Howitzer Jr. dies, the staff decides to publish one last edition, highlighting the best stories to come out of the magazine over its 10-year run. These stories involve Moses Rosenthaler, an artist jailed for double homicide; a kidnapping solved by Lieutenant Nescafier, a chef and police officer; and student riots.