Twenty-five-year-old Wolfgang "Amadeus" Mozart arrives in bustling 18th Century Vienna, no longer a child prodigy and craving creative freedom. There, his world collides with two pivotal figures: his fiercely loyal future wife, Constanze Weber, and devoutly religious court composer, Antonio Salieri.

As Amadeus' brilliance continues to flourish in spite of his personal demons, a questionable reputation, and skepticism from the conservative court, Salieri becomes increasingly tormented by this apparent divine gift. Amadeus is a threat to all that he holds dear in life: his talent, his reputation, even his faith in God.

Salieri vows to bring Amadeus down. What begins as professional rivalry turns into a deeply personal obsession spanning 30 years, culminating in a murder confession and a desperate attempt to entwine himself with Mozart's legacy forever.