In post-war Berlin, a teenager named Michael Berg suffers from a seemingly trivial illness that will change his life forever. After being cared for by an enigmatic woman, Hanna Schmitz, their relationship turns into a profound and tumultuous romance that explores desire, sex, and power. Michael becomes captivated by Hanna, a woman much older than him, with whom he embarks on a passionate secret affair; she teaches him to enjoy literature, and Michael, in turn, becomes her personal reader, reciting classical works of literature while she relaxes at home.
However, the story takes a dark turn when Hanna disappears from his life as suddenly as she arrived. Years later, Michael encounters her again, this time during a war crimes trial that places her in the public spotlight. It is revealed that Hanna was a guard at a Nazi concentration camp, and her past begins to blur the lines of morality in Michael's mind. As revelations about her former life emerge, Michael finds himself caught in an emotional dilemma, torn between his love for her and the horror of her actions. This poignant and heartbreaking story delves into themes of guilt, forgiveness, and the impact of the past on the present, challenging the viewer to reflect on the nature of memory and redemption.