Dr. Christopher Maitland, a scholar of the occult, becomes embroiled in a sinister mystery when he acquires an unusual artifact from an unscrupulous dealer named Marco. The object, a skull said to belong to the notorious Marquis de Sade, exerts a malevolent influence on those who possess it. Despite warnings from his friend and fellow collector Sir Matthew Phillips, Maitland's curiosity gets the better of him as he delves deeper into the dark history surrounding the skull.

As Maitland's obsession with the artifact grows, he begins to experience strange and unsettling events. His once-rational mind is besieged by nightmarish visions and inexplicable phenomena that blur the lines between reality and madness. With each passing moment, the grip of the skull tightens, drawing Maitland into a vortex of terror and paranoia that threatens not only his sanity but also his very life.