In a small, quiet town, a reputable barber named Eugene Van Wingerdt, leads an unassuming life. Long ago, he was suspected of being a notorious serial killer, but the lack of evidence allowed him to walk free. John McCormack, the son of the now-deceased detective who pursued Eugene tirelessly, arrives in town convinced that Eugene is indeed the monster his father believed him to be. John is determined to unveil the barber's dark side and bring justice to the victims. He poses as a student seeking guidance in psychology, using the guise to get closer to Eugene, who agrees to mentor him, unaware of John's true intentions.

As they spend more time together, tension mounts and sinister layers of deception are peeled away. John's obsession begins to blur his judgment while Eugene exhibits a keen awareness that suggests he's not as oblivious as he seems. The fearsome mind games between them intensify, leading to a heart-pounding series of encounters. The taut narrative keeps unfolding, with John maneuvering through a web of horror and secrets. The dynamics between the two characters drive an atmosphere of suspense and psychological intrigue, culminating in an edge-of-the-seat buildup as John's pursuit becomes increasingly perilous.