Through a series of flashbacks, Raoul Ruiz's psychological drama slowly unravels the mystery of accused murderer Rene (Melvil Poupard), suspected of killing his cruel aunt (Catherine Deneuve), a psychoanalyst who raised Rene to believe he was a born criminal. Rene forms allies with overzealous psychologists and plays mind-games with his determined attorney, Solange (also Catherine Deneuve), who begins to fall in love with the troubled man.