The title is a pun on the Oedipus complex described by Sigmund Freud and the nickname "Pussi", the way the main protagonist is called by his mother throughout the film.

Rumors that the title might also be a reference to the James Bond film Octopussy have been denied by Loriot.

Despite his age (he is 56 years old), he is still single and maintains a close relationship with his mother, who cooks for him and cannot understand that he now has his own apartment.

When he meets Margarethe Tietze, a practicing psychologist, the two attempt to join their expertise to better serve the potential furniture customers who have psychological troubles.

After an afternoon of coffee and pastries and a business trip to Italy, Margarethe introduces Paul to her parents, who initially assume he is one of her patients.