In a small Swedish town at the turn of the 20th century, two siblings, Alexander and his younger sister Fanny, grow up in a vibrant and affectionate theatrical family. Their parents, Oscar and Emilie, run a successful theater company, enveloping the children in a world of art and creativity. After a joyous Christmas celebration, the family's stability is shaken when Oscar falls ill and dies. In her grief, Emilie hastily remarries the austere and authoritarian Bishop Edvard Vergérus, thrusting the children into a drastically different and oppressive environment filled with strict religious rules and harsh discipline.

Struggling under the Bishop's severe regime, Alexander and Fanny's once bright and imaginative lives become bleak and fearful. They face emotional and sometimes physical abuse, as the Bishop's oppressive control stifles any semblance of their former freedom. The siblings bond deeply, relying on each other for solace and hope. Their desperate plight eventually draws the attention and aid of family friends, particularly their warm-hearted and resourceful uncle, who becomes determined to rescue them from their dire situation. The story evolves as the children navigate through fear and adversity, seeking a return to the love and joy they once knew.