Unlikely as it seems, Ruben Brandt travels by train along with Duveneck’s Whistling Boy and is attacked by Velázquez’s Infanta Margarita Teresa. It is revealed that he had been having a nightmare.
Acrobatic thief Mimi steals Cleopatra’s Fan from the Louvre Museum. She had been hired by crimelord Vincenzo Delangello to steal another item, le Régent Diamant, but she had a bout of kleptomania. After escaping from P.I. Kowalski (and sacrificing the fan to escape), she understands that she has psychological problems and seeks help from psychotherapist Ruben Brandt, specialized in treating artistic souls.
Brandt recommends to “possess your problems to conquer them”. She discovers that Brandt has panic attacks and nightmares in front of the Venus of Urbino painting, so to help him and to demonstrate the progress of the therapy, she recruits the doctor’s other patients (former bodyguard Bye-Bye Joe and thieves Membrano Bruno and Fernando) to steal the painting for him – literally possessing his problem to conquer it.
Brandt sees that the method works, and reveals to them that he has nightmares about twelve other paintings. The group travels the world stealing those paintings in daring heists. The press speaks of “The Collector” as the thief, since these paintings cannot be sold even on the black market so the thief is stealing those for him or herself.
John Cooper, a former associate of Brandt’s late father working with subliminals in the CIA, realizes that Brandt is the culprit and calls Kowalski. Kowalski discovers the truth about Brandt’s identity and their connection, leading to a climactic confrontation.
When Brandt and his accomplice attempt to steal Warhol’s Elvis I, II in Tokyo, they face off against Dangelo’s hitmen. Despite the challenges, they successfully complete the heist and add the painting to Brandt’s collection.
Amidst a dreamlike sequence, Brandt reflects on his past and the journey he has embarked on. As the story comes to a close, viewers are left with a sense of intrigue and mystery surrounding the characters and their connections. Watch Ruben Brandt, Collector to witness the thrilling heists and intricate plot unfold.