Benedict Cumberbatch stars as New York-based neurosurgeon, Dr. Stephen Strange, a big shot at his profession with as big an ego to flaunt, a level of cocky, self-satisfied smarm not too dissimilar to Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Iron Man films. His job is, literally, in his hands, until a car accident occurs that leaves him without much use of them for surgery purposes, causing him to go into an emotional and psychological tailspin if he cannot figure out a solution. Western medicine has no answers, so he seeks alternate ways, and that leads toward a rumored miracle breakthrough that takes him to Kathmandu, Nepal, where he connects with a monastic order of master magicians led by the powerful mystic, the Ancient One (Swinton), who proceeds to open Strange's mind to powers within him that are far greater than the mere physical. However, a wayward former student of the Ancient One has gone against their teachings and has removed pages from one of the most sacred of the magical library's many tomes, one that taps into the Dark Dimension that may bring to Earth dangerous forces that even the most powerful sorcerers on the planet can't thwart.