Tom Ripley is a young American living in Europe, struggling to make ends meet. He is granted the opportunity of a lifetime when he is tasked with traveling to Italy to convince his wealthy acquaintance, Philippe Greenleaf, to return to the United States. Upon his arrival, Tom becomes enchanted by Philippe's luxurious lifestyle and carefree attitude. As Tom ingratiates himself with Philippe and his fiancée, Marge, he begins to envy the life they lead. The contrast between Tom's poverty and Philippe’s affluence intensifies, prompting Tom to contemplate seizing the opportunities he believes he deserves.

As Tom spends more time with Philippe, his admiration turns to obsession, and he devises a cunning plan to assume Philippe's identity and inherit his wealth. Tom's meticulous scheming and quick thinking allow him to navigate the challenges that arise, creating an elaborate web of lies. His actions become increasingly dangerous, leading to a tense and unpredictable sequence of events as he struggles to maintain his façade. Throughout the narrative, the moral complexity and psychological nuances of Tom's character are explored, revealing the lengths to which he will go to achieve his desires.