A brilliant but troubled teenager named Todd Bowden becomes obsessed with an elderly neighbor, who turns out to be a former Nazi officer. Taking advantage of a series of events, Todd uncovers the truth about the old man's past, and seduced by the darkness of the history the man hides, he decides to engage in a dangerous game. Todd seeks to learn more about the Holocaust, and what starts as an academic curiosity quickly turns into a haunting connection.
The old man, who has lived a life of secrecy and fear, is drawn to the young man's ambition and begins to share his terrifying war experiences. However, as their relationship deepens, the influence of the man's Nazi past starts to corrupt Todd, who becomes a reflection of the evil he once admired. What began as an exchange of knowledge transforms into a toxic and manipulative bond, where both characters struggle for power and influence over one another.
Tension rises as Todd's actions push him toward the abyss of morality, and the old man sees in him an opportunity to relive his former past. With each revelation, the relationship grows darker and more dangerous, leaving Todd trapped in a moral dilemma from which he may not escape, as he confronts the demons of his own psyche.