In the misty marshes of early 19th-century England, a young orphan named Pip encounters an escaped convict, Magwitch, who terrifies him into stealing food and a file to remove his shackles. This harrowing experience marks the beginning of Pip's journey from a life of poverty and obscurity. Later, he is summoned to the decaying mansion of the reclusive Miss Havisham, where he meets and falls in love with her beautiful, but cold-hearted ward, Estella. Under Miss Havisham's manipulative guidance, Pip and Estella play together, igniting Pip's aspirations towards a higher social class. Miss Havisham, herself ensnared in the past and intent on wreaking revenge through Estella on all men, encourages Pip's infatuation.

Pip's life takes a dramatic turn when he is informed by the lawyer, Mr. Jaggers, that an unknown benefactor has provided for him to be trained as a gentleman in London. Excited by the prospects of abandoning his humble beginnings and winning Estella's affections, Pip embraces his new life of education and sophistication. Unbeknownst to Pip, the source of his great expectations and the truth behind his ascent in society are shrouded in mystery and tied to his earliest encounters. This revelation and the resulting circumstances challenge Pip's perceptions of identity, loyalty, and love, setting the stage for his growth and the resolution of his heart's desires in a world where class disparities and personal histories intertwine.