Stanton Carlisle, an ambitious carnival barker, becomes fascinated by the mind-reading act of Zeena Krumbein and her alcoholic husband, Pete. Learning their tricks, Stan's desire for more leads him to inadvertently cause Pete’s death by giving him alcohol. He then proceeds to develop a relationship with Zeena, who teaches him the secrets of their trade. As he learns the intricacies of cold reading and psychological manipulation, Stan teams up with the young and innocent Molly, creating a successful mentalist act that captivates audiences.

Stan's newfound success emboldens him to expand his deceitful practices into society’s upper echelons, aiming to exploit wealthy patrons under the guise of spiritualism. His ambition drives him to seek out Dr. Lilith Ritter, a manipulative psychologist with her own agenda, with whom he enters a dangerous alliance. As he spirals deeper into a web of lies and moral corruption, the consequences of his actions lead to unforeseen repercussions that challenge his perceptions of control and identity.