In a luxurious, isolated estate in the English countryside, an affluent and celebrated mystery novelist, Andrew Wyke, confronts Milo Tindle, a young struggling actor who is having an affair with Wyke's wife. Seeking amusement and a twisted form of retribution, Wyke invites Tindle to his manor under the pretense of settling their affairs amicably. However, Wyke's true intentions are far from peaceful. He proposes a cunning and elaborate scheme designed to humiliate Tindle, offering him a way to maintain the lavish lifestyle he's accustomed to with Wyke's wife but at a moral and possibly legal cost. The plan sets off a tense and intricate game of cat and mouse between the two men, both of whom are not what they initially seem.

As the two men engage in this battle of wits, the distinction between reality and fiction becomes increasingly blurred. The initial plan spirals out of control, leading to a series of twists and manipulations that challenge their intellects and egos. This psychological duel evolves into a dangerous and personal vendetta, exposing the vulnerabilities and darkest aspects of their personas. The stakes of their game escalate as each man seeks to outdo the other in a series of deceptions and psychological traps, setting the stage for unforeseen consequences and a relentless examination of identity, love, and betrayal.