In the 1960s, social psychologist Stanley Milgram conducts a series of groundbreaking and controversial experiments at Yale University to study human behavior and obedience to authority. Participants, assuming the role of "teachers," are instructed to administer increasingly severe electric shocks to a "learner" whenever an incorrect answer is given. Unbeknownst to them, the learner is an actor and not actually receiving any shocks. Milgram's results reveal a disturbing willingness of ordinary people to inflict pain on others when prompted by an authority figure, sparking heated debates and ethical questions regarding the limits of human obedience and the moral responsibilities of scientists.

As Milgram delves deeper into his research, he faces mounting criticism and scrutiny from both the public and the scientific community. His personal life, including his relationship with his wife Sasha, becomes intertwined with his professional endeavors, illustrating the complex interplay between his work and its impact on those around him. Despite fierce opposition, Milgram remains steadfast in his quest to understand the darker aspects of human nature, ultimately leaving a lasting legacy on the field of psychology. The story explores the ethical dilemmas and human consequences of exploring such provocative questions.