A recent college graduate returns home to California, feeling aimless and uncertain about his future. Struggling to avoid the expectations of his affluent family and their social circle, he seeks solace in the aimlessness post-graduation. Amidst the pressures, he finds himself seduced by Mrs. Robinson, an older woman who is the wife of his father's business partner. Their secret affair starts with the graduate not fully grasping the complications it entails, leading him on a path of discovery and unexpected dilemmas.

As the affair evolves, the graduate's life becomes more entangled when he is pressed by his parents to go out with Elaine Robinson, Mrs. Robinson's daughter, whom he tries to resist due to the complexity of his secret relationship with her mother. Despite his efforts to avoid it, he finds himself drawn to Elaine, which sparks an inner conflict and a series of events that challenge his understanding of love, duty, and his own desires. The dynamics between them grow increasingly complicated, setting the stage for a storyline that delves into themes of youthful rebellion, soul-searching, and the profound impact of personal choices.