During the Great Depression in New England, miserly businessman Benedict Slade spends most of his time seizing property from debtors who cannot meet his relentless financial demands. Slade, whose successful empire is built on the misfortunes of others, cares little for the people he ruins, particularly around Christmastime. His lack of empathy and joy stems from a self-centered and hardened heart that sees no value in generosity or fellowship. On Christmas Eve, alone in his stark living quarters, he dismisses the season's festive spirit, focusing instead on his business and keeping his ledgers meticulously balanced, unconcerned about the lives he disrupts.

As the cold night settles, Slade encounters a series of ghostly apparitions, beginning with Jonathan, a former colleague who tragically ended his life. Jonathan’s spirit warns Slade that he is headed towards a grim fate unless he amends his ways and he will be visited by three more spirits. Each spirit arrives to show Slade a different perspective: one revisits his past, highlighting lost opportunities and the events that shaped his current demeanor; another reveals the harsh realities and suffering of those currently affected by his ruthless policies; and the third spirit offers a haunting glimpse of what might come if he remains unchanged. These supernatural visits provide Slade with a profound insight into his life choices, compelling him to reflect deeply on his actions and their impact on others.