Told as a confession, The Sympathizer follows a nameless narrator—a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist double agent—who lives between worlds during and after the fall of Saigon. Embedded within the South Vietnamese army while secretly reporting to the North, he witnesses the chaotic final days of the Vietnam War before escaping to the United States with other refugees, continuing his covert mission from abroad.

In America, he navigates exile, cultural dislocation, and shifting loyalties while maintaining his cover among the South Vietnamese émigré community. As he becomes involved in various ventures—including a Hollywood film about the war—he is forced to confront the contradictions of identity, ideology, and belonging, all while under constant pressure from both sides.

Blending political intrigue with dark humor and sharp insight, The Sympathizer explores the complexities of war, memory, and divided identity. It is a story of espionage and self-examination, where the line between loyalty and betrayal is never clear—and where understanding comes at a personal cost.