The film opens with Edie (Miller) arriving in New York City from her wealthy Boston home. She meets Andy Warhol (Pearce) and becomes part of his Factory scene, a group of artists, musicians, and performers who lived and worked together in Warhol's studio. Edie quickly becomes Warhol's muse and appears in many of his short films and works of art.
As Edie's star rises, she becomes increasingly involved in the drug scene and her relationship with Warhol begins to deteriorate. She also starts dating Billy Quinn (Christensen), a charismatic musician, but their relationship is tumultuous and ultimately ends. Edie's decline continues and she eventually dies of a drug overdose in 1971 at the age of 28.
Factory Girl is a tragic story about the rise and fall of a young woman who was both beautiful and talented but ultimately destroyed by her demons. The film offers a glimpse into the world of Andy Warhol and the Factory and captures the spirit of the 1960s.
The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Miller's performance but were critical of the film's portrayal of Warhol and the Factory. However, the film was a commercial success and grossed over $12 million worldwide.