The film is set within a sanitarium where Dr. Stenson (Malcolm McDowell) narrates the stories of three different inmates. In the first case (Figuratively Speaking), Gustav (John Glover) is an artist that specializes in clay figures, unaware that a friend of his has been spiking his alcohol with drugs. This results in Gustav believing that his creations can speak to him, as they give him various demands. The second case (Monsters are Real) focuses on Steven (David Mazouz), a young boy that suffers from catatonic schizophrenia. Suspecting that Steven is being abused, his teacher Ms Lorne (Lacey Chabert) tries to intercede on his behalf. The final case (Up to the Last Man) investigates James Silo (Lou Diamond Phillips), a college professor that designs a bomb shelter out of fear that the Mayan apocalypse will wipe out humanity.
Salauds de pauvres est un film à sketches, écrit par douze auteurs. Miroir ou projection, Salauds de pauvres s’amuse de faits de tous les jours et ne raconte pas une histoire, mais des histoires. À travers ces histoires courtes et amères, sont dévoilées toutes les fissures du genre humain...