Stella Raphael (Natasha Richardson), A psychiatrist's wife develops a curious attraction to inmate Edgar (Marton Csokas) at a maximum security asylum outside of London where she and her husband, Max (Hugh Bonneville), live. As the attraction blossoms into a passionate affair, Stella becomes aware of Edgar's history: he murdered his wife in a jealous rage six years ago. Max and his colleague, Edgar's psychiatrist Peter Cleave (Sir Ian McKellen), are powerless to stop their torrid affair, especially once Edgar escapes the asylum. Stella and Edgar's love lead to startling - and unexpected - consequences in this tale of passion, obsession and manipulation.