During a time of anti-Communist paranoia, editor Emily Crane (Kelly McGillis) balks at turning over the identities of colleagues being sought by the House Un-American Activities Committee and is blacklisted as a result. After taking a job as an elderly woman's companion, her life falls into a normal rhythm -- until she checks out an argument in the house next door. Soon Emily is on the run and trying to unravel a Nazi plot. Meanwhile, Cochran (Jeff Daniels), an FBI man, tries to protect her.